1967 Heater Core

[James C.]

I had the original heater core on my 1967 427/400 air conditioned coupe go south this weekend. The coolant leaked onto the passenger side carpet and a steady stream of coolant came out of the bottom of the heater box on the engine side. Will the passenger and engine side of the heater box need to be removed to install a new core and what else should I replace while I have this all apart? Is this best left to professionals? Thanks Jim Carmain #37003

[Donald O.]

Re: 1967 Heater Core

Jim,
Yes, you will have to remove both sides of the firewall to replace the heater core. I would also replace all heater hoses, drain and flush the system and put in fresh coolant. This job will be made easier if you have the AIM and the service manuals. On a scale of 1 to 10 this is a 3.5 about 2 to 3 hours.
IMO

Don

[Donald O.]

Re: 1967 Heater Core PS

Jim,
I would also replace the seals in the box and on the hoses on the firewall, Doc Rebuild carries them, I believe. Other items may be the retaining straps and their attaching screws.
You could try and ahve the original core recored/repaired, they are dated, but since they can't be judged, I always recommend a new replacement

[Terry M.]

Re: 1967 Heater Core *TL*

Jim,
There was an article, with photos on this very subject in The Corvette Restorer. Volume 26, Number 2 - Fall 1999.
A word of caution: Clean your carpet soon and well. If the coolant is left in the carpet and pad to "air dry" it will damage the fiberglass floor. To thoroughly remove the coolant you will likely have to remove both the carpet and the pad to rinse them completely and dry them in the sun.
Terry

[Jack H.]

Re: 1967 Heater Core

Have gotten anti-freeze laiden coolant out of carpet & jute at our shop using the 'Niagra Falls' method.... You dump about a gallon of water onto the carpet to SOAK it and use a wet/dry vac to suck 'er up. Repeat about ten times and the recovered rise will be devoid of anti-freeze. Old addage in the enviro business; dilution is the solution to pollution!