76 EC Heater Core Install HELP

Fellas-

I'm installing the complete heater core/distributor box back into my '76 GMC Sprint, which is a factory a/c car. The radio, center duct to dash, and glove box are all out. The engine side firewall is bare (installing a/c delete box), and there is no engine in the car, so all obstacles have been removed, in theory. I have all the factory manuals and have followed procedure.

The problem is that I cannot get the box to clear the defroster duct and seat into the firewall. The duct has some flex, but cannot effectively be removed because it is tabbed into the steel channel under the windshield. I removed the box myself and do not recall having a big fight getting it out.

Can anyone give me some tips or tricks to get this back together without having to take the whole dash out? Pics below.

Additional pics below

In the nearly 38 years I've owned and been driving my '74 Monte Carlo Landau, I've had to replace the heater core twice; once in the mid 1990s (probably around 1994) and once about 7 years ago. Hmm, seems like those heater cores only last around 20 years.

Anyway, I recall it being a monumental task both times. After the first time I prayed to the deity of automotive repair to please grant me the wish to never need to do that again. Obviously I was not heard since I had to do it a second time. I am inclined to think that this last time was more difficult but that's likely a misperception because the experience was so traumatic the first time that I blocked it out.

From this last odyssey, I do recall following the shop manual instructions, removing the lower ducting and the glove box, contorting my body into positions normally practiced by a yogi master, uttering several profanity laden incantations, comparing the positions of the inlet/outlet ports on the new core to the old core, re-measuring everything, shaking my head, uttering more incantations… I spent what seems to me to be about two hours massaging, coaxing, finessing, orienting, etc., that box into position, all the while thinking exactly what you're thinking; "It came out without a lot of drama, why am I having so much trouble getting it back in?"

What I'm about to say probably won't be helpful, nevertheless after patient perseverance, it finally went in. And even then, I thought, "No way." Upon confirmation that it was, indeed, back in, I was elated and became so intoxicated from the relief of finally achieving the seemingly impossible that I don't recall the exact step-by-step process, only that I didn't use any special tools nor did I resort to anything extreem such as removing the entire dash.

I really wish I had more useful information to give you but hopefully it's at least a small comfort to know that you're not the only one who's ever had to face up to this challenge and that there is hope.

Good luck and may the deity of automotive repair favor you.

This is exactly what I was thinking....and needed someone else to confirm it. More swearing and elbow grease....

I took the seat out of my Monte to do it. Helped to lay on your back looking up and using your head (literally)kind of finesse it in there. Real pain in the A$$ no matter what. I took a nap in there afterwards.

Nearly three-years since this topic had activity, I had to R&R my heater core again. The first two heater cores each went 20-years before failing. This one only lasted 10-years.

Hope this helps the next poor soul…

On December 18 my heater core went out on the way to Houston. Luckily it happened in traffic so I saw steam coming from under the back of the hood so I pulled off and shut down right away. Then I had some steam coming from the heater vents, but no leaks in the car. I bypassed the core on the roadside, filled it (had just enough fluid with me), and drove it to the next exit. Checked the oil closely, brought it up to temp in the parking lot, watched as the thermostat opened and coolant was circulating. Everything seemed fine. Idiot light never lit up. I drove it another 300 miles no problem. I’ve done a lot of work in these cars but the god of the heater core has not seen fit to test me until now. So I thank you for this video.
2 related questions: does anyone have a preferred manufacturer for this part, and might an aluminum version outlast the brass?

crice63 wrote:2 related questions: does anyone have a preferred manufacturer for this part, and might an aluminum version outlast the brass?

1) There aren't many manufacturers making these anymore, just different outlets or suppliers. Most of the ones you can buy are old stock that's been on a shelf for years. The one I just got for this job was dated 2007… that's right, it was manufactured 17-years ago.
2) I prefer to stick with copper/brass. Aluminum is less expensive to manufacturer but it presents it's own challenges. Aluminum is prone to galvanic erosion which shortens its service life compared to brass. Back in the early 1970s, Chevrolet installed aluminum radiators in ~2,000 customer bought Novas for real-world evaluation. They not only discovered the problems with galvanic degradation but the difficulty in working with aluminum made repairs costly, hence, they abandoned the program. As always, your mileage may vary.

I wish you luck with your project and hopefully the gods of automotive repair will smile upon you.

The aluminum parts store cores for these are a NO FIT. I believe I got mine from The Parts Place on eBay and it went into the box without issue.

zucchi wrote:Back in the early 1970s, Chevrolet installed aluminum radiators in ~2,000 customer bought Novas for real-world evaluation.

For those who are curious, this was in Chevrolet Dealer Service Information Bulletin 73-I-2. It reads that aluminum radiators were installed in approximately 2,000 1973 Chevrolets assembled by the Doraville Plant that were place in service in Florida.