Time to get those heaters ready

[nbristow01]

You guys up north will be cooling down soon. I ordered a new heater motor from BLUNT this past spring and installed it with the guidance of the FAQ instructions. I have to admit it was probably one of the most rewarding jobs I have done. After you unhook the hoses from the heater core it is simple to do. I was able to get my heater core and controls out of he car in about 30 minutes. A few orings for the heater control valve from the local hardware store and I fixed the leak I had in it as well.

[Beck180]

+1 on the frustrating heater hoses. After that, it's pretty easy until you have to reattach them. Did my heater box rebuild a few months ago and it's amazing how more enjoyable it makes the car.

[SteveJ]

I found some rubber panel gromets that worked well on the inside flaps. I also repaired all the cracks with JB weld and then sealed the install with closed cell foam.

Rewarding? yes. A piece of work? Yes. A pain to reinstall? YES. Worth it when I have heat or vents? YES!

[Beck180]

photos from my heater box rebuild a few months ago:

[JohnS]

I'm just about to pull the box on my '73.

Did the '74 last year and used one of these brackets that used to be sold on the FAQ. I used pop rivets and JB weld underneath and it worked great. It made adjusting the heater valve cable easier with the box not yet installed in the car.

I'm not sure, but maybe you can still get them from CPI auto?

[02Les]

I was able to get my heater core and controls out of he car in about 30 minutes.

Amazing! Takes me that long to get the centre console out of the way.

[Zorac]

when i slide my defrost on, it slide back halfway by itself, does the heater box rebuild fix that?

[Cameron]

I read the title wrong... I thought you meant 'heater', not heater as in hot air...

Mine's ready :-)

[Beck180]

dude, JohnS, that photo is perfect. BMW and Alpina shifters and a beer.

[OriginalOwner]

I took the easy way out last month and let the fellows at 2002AD in Pomona do all the work. I brought the car to the shop and Ben very generously gave me a loaner car so I could go have lunch with friends in Chino. When I got back from lunch at 2:30, it was all done, and I didn't even have a sore back from thinking about crawling around under the dash. New heater core and rebuilt heater box. Fortunately the fan and valve have always worked just fine.

Cheers,

Carl

[Beck180]

I brought the car to the shop and Ben very generously gave me a loaner car so I could go have lunch with friends in Chino. When I got back from lunch at 2:30, it was all done, and I didn't even have a sore back from thinking about crawling around under the dash. New heater core and rebuilt heater box.

Would you mind sharing how much that cost? Honestly just curious how much a job like that might cost for future reference.

[OriginalOwner]

about $540 out the door.

$200 for the rebuilt heater core.

4 hrs of labor at $85/hour.

Ben had quoted about $450 for a brand-new heater core. He had 2 that he had rebuilt which he was confident would get me at least 20 years of service.

I had a couple of other quotes from places in the San Fernando Valley, each was at least $1,100.

Cheers,

Carl

[JohnS]

dude, JohnS, that photo is perfect. BMW and Alpina shifters and a beer.

Many beers are consumed whenever I work on my cars. Except when I'm working under jack stands. I guess that's why I like working on the cars so much

John

[OriginalOwner]

yep, same concept when cleaning my guns after a day in the desert ......

Cheers,

Carl

[bstaps]

Nick, How can you think about the heater? I'm not sure I'll ever be cold again.