Heater core replacement part 2

["Turbo-T"]

Hey, some of you said to change a heater core is a matter of removing the top screws on the blower box, lift up and out the old one, set down in the new one, reinstall cover and resecure bolts.

But what about the shield on the side of the box? You know the one that faces the pass. valve cover. Does this need removed to get the top of the box off?

And if so, how? Looks like there's some really hard to reach bolts down around under the valve cover area........?

Help. Thanks!

 

[Scooter3800]

You shouldn't have to mess with the heat shield for the HVAC box. IIRC

 

["Turbo-T"]

Ok, I ask cuz it looks like the top of the box fits in the heat shield.

 

[GNRick]

Here is my .02 cents. There are alot of screws involved as you probably already know. If you miss one and start prying off the lid....well you know the results. I started to take out the screws on mine...this is my 25K mile GN in my sig. Last thing I wanted to do was break the cover. So I took it to my mechanic, as he had already done the one on my other TR and I trusted him. It isn't a big job and you should be able to get estimates in your area. One more thing- make sure you get the heater core for the turbo motor. The NA motor is a different core. Good luck.

 

[blown okie]

take the sheild of imo, it makes getting to the #6 plug much easier, & also to the valve cover bolt, took it off both by buicks & not one problem because of it

 

["Turbo-T"]

Looks like it's going to be a bitch to get to the screws by the valve cover. Any suggestions?

I would sort of like to be able to do the work myself if at all possible.

 

[turbojd]

You shouldn't have to mess with the heat shield for the HVAC box. IIRC

I just replaced my heater core not long ago, it took me about 2 hrs. taking my time and cleaning everything. I removed the wiper arms, the lower windshield aluminum plate, all screws in the cowel area, blower motor connectors, then make sure you get all the screws around the top lid, as was said a few hide, pry up on the lid alll around to break the seal and remove, you will see the heater core, it has a ground strap attached to it unhook it and take out a few screws and pull out the old core.

 

["Turbo-T"]

Well here's an update.

I found out I did not have to remove the metal heat plate on the side.

However getting the top was somewhat of a PITA, but I got it off w/o damaging it.

Then trying to remove the core itself was a bitch too, being that it snaps in, but I got it out.

Now I find out Napa sold me the wrong damn part.

This is the one they sold me, which is too short and too fat to fit into the snap, and also is listed for a non a/c car:
NAPA® Online


This one is for an a/c 3.8 car:
NAPA® Online

Only thing is someone said the turbo cars used a different heater core than the n/a cars....but Napa doesn't specify if the 3.8 this is listed for is for n/a or turbo.

Does the 2nd one look like it might work? Also what is different about the turbo cars heater cores?

Also where can I get a new seal that goes between the box halves? Or where the box bolts to the top of the fire wall?

 

[scottyb]

6 years ago I put a NAPA n/a core in my car. Fit perfect and no problems after 75k miles.

 

[usetaboost]

DOn't see why they'd be different. I would just take the old heater core with me to size everything up. What's with everyone buying from NAPA? Every time I walk into my local one they always try selling me chevy stuff for my buicks

 

["Turbo-T"]

Because in my experience, Napa is about the only place I've had luck with in terms of parts.

If I buy one from Autozone it's sure to fail me very quickly.

Even Advance auto I am somewhat skeptical of, but I will admit they happened to have the exact same part in stock, all the measurements were right on, the only beef I had was the bottom where it snaps into that little bracket at the bottom of the blower box....the new core was rounded so it would not snap in there but still it fit.

Also they say you get what you pay for....Advance's part cost me $24, Napa's costed me $30

Not to mention another beef I had....Napa doesn't show if it's a GN or not....from what I hear all turbo cars used a different core as opposed to n/a cars....Advance actually lists a Grand National as a submodel to the Regal...and also lists the turbo 3.8 as one of the engines.

Here's some pics of the old Harrison core (left) and the Napa aluminum core (right):