Heater core replacement on 94 C1500

[94stroker]

Do I really have to take the dash out, or is a shortcut?

[Shawn T]

Do I really have to take the dash out, or is a shortcut?  

 

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It's been a long time since I had my 88. I did change a couple of heater cores on it though. You don't have to remove the dash. Just the lower duct cover under the dash over the passenger side. If I remember there are about 5 or 6 screws and the one closest to the driver's side is kind of hard to get at. Other than that, it is just held in by the duct cover, itself. Just a matter of removing the two hoses and installing the new one in reverse order. I would take the hoses off slow and have something to catch the antifreeze that is in the old core, it makes a mess of the carpet and never dries. The newer cores have stainless bodies and conection nipples, that is what failed on mine both times. The plastic nipples that prodrude through the firewall just cracked.

[revets00]

Do I really have to take the dash out, or is a shortcut?

 

1994 and under the evaporator does not have to be removed to replace heater core. Mechanic said 20 min job if you know what your doing. This is full size 1500 trucks. Newer trucks are much harder.

[revets00]

Do I really have to take the dash out, or is a shortcut?

 

1994 and under the evaporator does not have to be removed to replace heater core. Mechanic said 20 min job if you know what your doing. This is full size 1500 trucks. Newer trucks are much harder.

 

 

 

It is also possible for anti-freeze to be coming into your truck via the heater hoses outside the firewall. I replaced my heater core and found on spring type clamp was not holding the hose tight. Therefore it could have been getting water through the firewall where the heater tubes come out. Don't know for sure yet but good advice for people to check this before pulling the core. Thanks!