Fiero Heater Core Replacement (Page 3/5) waynrayn MAR 30, 11:00 PM Thanks, but I'm still not getting how to remove this though. So far I've taken the convenience center aside, as you can see in the above link. I've also taken out two screws from the underside, which don't seem to do much. The eighth picture down in the original discussion shows a square black box to the right underside of the passenger dash, which is the heater box. My 87 Fiero doesn't have this at all; it's to the left as in the picture link. I'm not sure where all of the screws are? Only two taken out so far. waynrayn MAR 31, 01:03 AM Another observation: The tenth picture down shows an 84-85 heater core cover. It's somewhat different from mine, but I can see the similarity. I was thrown off by the square cover to the right in picture eight, which isn't in my car. So I can see the core cover. But if you look at the picture link in my original query, you'll see that the cover appears to be under a flap, and I need to either remove or move that front black portion to get at the core cover to the side. When I say the 'front portion,' I mean the part which is scratched up and scuffed in the picture. How can I do this? I don't see any screws, except the two underneath, which I removed already. Thanks very much... waynrayn MAR 31, 04:23 PM One more post... (Doober please note) I've found a couple more things out. First, I see that the square cover in picture 8 is actually the sub-woofer assembly to the right side underneath, which my Fiero doesn't have. I mistook it for the heater core cover. Apologies. Second, my Fiero does have something unusual: A non-standard air conditioner. This threw me off too, because I thought at first that because it was A/C t I could do this through the dash, but my heater core is actually a non-A/C type. There is a large non-standard A/C unit in the front compartment attached to it. I'll post a picture of this afterward. Doober, if yours is identical to mine, and you replaced it through the dash, could you confirm that yours is non-A/C like mine? If so, I'll have a chance. If your core is A/C type, I guess I'll have to go through the front. Thanks... RWDPLZ MAR 31, 04:55 PM I'd love to see pics of an aftermarket setup installed in a Fiero. It would only make sense then that the core in the car is either a non-AC Fiero core, or an altogether different one compatible with the aftermarket system. waynrayn APR 01, 03:42 AM Okay, here's a picture of my non-standard A/C, in the front compartment. You'll see that the heater core pipes are short, and 2-3" apart, indicating this to be a non-A/C core. The climate controls are the usual two slide bars. The top bar directs air flow, and the bottom bar is cool to the left, and hot to the right. This is another indication that it's non-A/C; no fancy controls. Yet, when I first got the car, I distinctly remember cold air blasting out in the summer. This only lasted 3-4 months, before the A/C gave up the ghost. I was told it would be expensive to replace, so I didn't bother at the time. I may try now, as a separate project, after the heater core. If I can. So, it was a bit confusing for me because I thought that I might be able to do this under the dash, being A/C (or so I thought). But I might only be able to do this through the front, which means I'll have to get that monster unit out of the way. That's why I want to hear from Doober, who says his was exactly the same, and he did it under the dash. But I don't see how to detach the unit I have. In this picture, the clip fasteners are missing from the hoses, as I'm trying to remove them. Tough going. waynrayn APR 01, 03:50 AM Here is a picture of my heater core cover under the dash. I don't see how to get the front part (that is scuffed up and marked) detached or out of the way, so I can get to the side panel. None of the screws, as described in the original pictures above, are visible. Only two underneath. There appears to be a flap on the side, which the heater core panel fits into. My impression is that the only way to do this would be to remove the dash? Unless someone (Doober?) says this absolutely can be done. If this is typical of non-A/C types, I guess my only option is to go through the front, and try to get that monster non-standard A/C unit out of the way? RWDPLZ APR 01, 08:45 AM Yep, you'll have to remove that AC unit to remove the heater core through the front compartment. Even though the AC doesn't work, the system may still have refrigerant in it. I wonder if it can be moved out of the way without opening any of the pipes, and if the evaporator comes out with the unit? Where is the accumulator, or filter drier? Also looks like there's a label added for it below the RPO code sheet, that might tell you the manufacturer and model number of the unit, and the refrigerant type used? It was probably installed way back when and uses R-12 refrigerant. Doober APR 01, 12:34 PM D'oh >.< waynrayn APR 02, 12:36 PM Okay, I managed to get the panel open, and the heater core out: And it was indeed a non-A/C core: ... A real pain to get that aftermarket A/C unit out. I was contorting into all kinds of human-pretzel shapes to get at the bolts underneath. Fortunately it moved just enough forward to the left side that I could get the core out. But again there was the bolt holding the core inside, which was pointing at just the wrong angle for me to work at it. Finally got it... Guess I'm over the hump now, just have to reverse everything! waynrayn APR 02, 12:38 PM RWDPLZ: Sorry, at this stage A/C details are a learning curve for me... I'm novice to intermediate, depending on the job. I appreciate your suggestions, though.