How to get to the heater core in a '74 K5

[Jesse Jaymes]

Having a hard time getting to the heater core in my '74. The floorboards are 1/2 rotted and the heater hoses were pruned off near the firewall, so I am just deciding to replace the thing instead of investigate what works and what doesn't.

The vehicle was AC equipped and the is a monstrosity AC unit right where I need to be. I do not want the AC stuff in there, so if there are additional suggestions on what to do to permanently take it off, please chime in on that as well.

I can't get that off very easily. Is there one SOB nut on the bottom where the inner fenderwell is??

The duct work and such seems to have riveted clips from within the cab, under the glove box.

Essentially, I am at a loss of what to take off to continue my process to R&R.

Any help?

 

[Jesse Jaymes]

Sorry. Didn't get it in a standard search, but got a link in an advanced search. I will get cracking on it and ask again if I get any snags.

 

[toomany]

They can be a pain in the @$$, but compared to other vehicles, they aren't that bad. have you read the tech article about it? http://coloradok5.com/heatercore.shtml

 

[tRustyK5]

If you want to ditch the AC stuff you'll need to modify the firewall a little and of course source a non AC heater box. Most of the job is from inside of the truck...and that one bastard bolt in the engine compartment is easier if you drop the inner fender first.

Took me 5 hours to do the whole job on my '83 diesel pickup with AC, and that was working carefully so every fastener and clip etc went back exactly as it was.

The tech article was a good resource, do read through it!

Rene

 

[toomany]

If you want to ditch the AC stuff you'll need to modify the firewall a little and of course source a non AC heater box.

I took the AC off my K5, ditched the suitcase. I made a...don't really know what to call it...plenum(?), anyway it's a way for the air from the blower motor to get into the truck. Works awesome. I don't know if it's more efficient than the factory no AC box. The box is made of plexi-glass. I was going to glue it together, but I couldn't find anything that would set up fast enough (I wasn't about to try CrazyGlue, I always end up gluing myself to everything). So I used duct tape. I covered the whole thing in tape. Didn't need to, just thought it looked better that way. The dog tag chain is hooked to a bolt that was holding the suitcase on. The zip-ty was supposed to be temporary...but it's been on there since '05.

 

[BulldogK5]

heater hoses were pruned off near the firewall

You a landscaper or what? Read the tech article, it will get you through the job with most questions and problems covered. It worked for me on the crewcab.

 

[Jesse Jaymes]

Former landscaper. Or maybe just too High Class to say "whacked", "chopped" or "cut". I guess I could have used lopped as well.

Finally got around to wrenching on it again today. Yes, I found the tech article in a link about 20 after posting, hence the apologies from the get go.

A bigger pain in the balls than I thought. Dissappointed that there were not many "goodies" in the heater housing. I got a lighter and a pen. And a 22 LR bullet.

I have it placed back in there, but need to get the AC unit on the other side and put everything back together.

 

[BulldogK5]

That's alright. I go through it every day with the little things. My wife doesn't like it when I refer to the fingernail clippers as "Nail Pruners".