I connected the lower hose to the heater core then slowly filled the heater core with coolant, before connecting the upper hose, to let air bubbles out. I didn't have to burp the system after doing this,
Great write up. I'd give you a "+" but you I already have you one. I wish I had seen this a month or so ago when I was changing my heater core.
The hardest part is getting those heater core hoses off. What I did was to get some metal clothes hangers and bend the ends to form little hooks then pull the hoses off.
I got excited when I saw the subject say "repair"...but you really mean replace.. Does anyone know of any ways to have the leek repaired? The local parts store wants 85 bucks for the new part...
Wouldn't a link to this and other useful threads like the headliner one be helpfull or is search enough?
I thought the same thing.
Hey Cliff, could you create a section that posts of this type could go in?
Call it "How To" or something similar.
After the author is done with the thread and any tweaking it needed from him/her and other forum members it would go there for easy access.
Jazzman, a + for you for the great thread, one question though, it's been a while since I did a heater core replacement, but, isn't there a retaining strap at each end of the core?
I can't remeber for sure.
------------------ Where will the road take you today?
Hmm, Two months I did the heater core in my 88GT with A/C and I did not have to remove the speaker. So I guess either that top screw is not there on an 88 or the previous ownner also did a heater core and left the screw out.
AUTOZONE'S WEBSITE SELLS THEM FOR $29.--i JUST BOUGHT ONE A FEW WEEKS AGO. tHEIR STORE SELLS THEM FOR $49--NO ONE KNOWS WHY THE PRICE DIFFERENCE BUT i SUGGEST YOU ORDER ONE OFF THE WEBSITE. sHIPPING WAS ANOTHER $6.
My heater cover looks different and does not seem to come out the same way. ive been fighting with it for hours and i cant get it off heres a pic: is it just me or does this look different then the pics above? any thoughts that can help me out?
Yours is different because you don't have air conditioning. The cover you need to remove is in the trunk. It is somewhat large and is held on with a half dozen or so screws.
------------------ Rod Schneider, Woodstock, Ga. White 88 GT
Did your heater core have a foam pad with 2 holes in it, to slide over the tubes prior to installation? Mine does, but you can never tell whether it ends up in the right place or not. I think it ends up getting pushed up the tubes, toward the core and is of little use in that position, IMO.
[This message has been edited by maryjane (edited 04-08-2004).]
Well since i am replacing my heater core with non A/C, i figured id add a little to this write up
1. as jazzman said, you will be taking the core out from the front compartment. follow the same procedures he did above to clamp the hoses *no need to take out the windshield fluid resevoir in non a/c procedure*
2. unscrew the bolts around the heater cover, i think theres about 6 or seven
3. Take off the hoses from the core (fight with it, it will take some prying and force)
4. unscrew the one bolt that hold in the metal bracket, which holds the core in place.
then just pull it out and reverse the procedure! good luck!
I got excited when I saw the subject say "repair"...but you really mean replace.. Does anyone know of any ways to have the leek repaired? The local parts store wants 85 bucks for the new part...
It depends on where the leak is...If it's on one of the tubes, you probably could repair it with a propane torch & some silver solder, just like sealing a pipe when you're doing plumbing...
Great write up jazzman i memorized it and went out in front of my condo and got to work
from start to stop took me about 35 minutes just because 2 of the heater core cover panel bolts were hard to get to being as how they are very top and the other one is jammed next to the insulation by the tire hump
A++++++++++ and all i did to find this was a search in pennock and BOOM i was under way
$49.95 + tax at auto zone with a lifetime warranty
Thanks for great article Jazzmann and spataro , I just did my non air canadian 88gt. Picked up the heater core from rockauto.com for abot $31. Hardest part was getting the hoses off the old core without damaging them.
[This message has been edited by RossT (edited 12-30-2004).]
Does anyone know for certain that the 88's had or did'nt have the top screw holding the core in place. "The one you need to remove the speaker to get to"
Now you have!!
3.4DOHC/5speed swap coming soon..(gathering part's now!) 
