I just purchased a 1989 cav the engine is super clean and so is the interior but it needs a heater core replaced I have done this before on a ford and on a chevy truck but I was wondering if anyone could give me some tips on how to do this on the cav? on the ford I did the dash was never quite right agian (thats what i get for owning a tarus)
thanks,
James

I just purchased a 1989 cav the engine is super clean and so is the interior but it needs a heater core replaced I have done this before on a ford and on a chevy truck but I was wondering if anyone could give me some tips on how to do this on the cav? on the ford I did the dash was never quite right agian (thats what i get for owning a tarus)
thanks,
James

James...what makes you think that the problem is with the heater core?

is it leaking?

What symptoms does the vehicle have...why not a bad radiator..water pump or thermostat?

bad coolent smell in passanger compartment, i bypased the heater core lines smell went away, also coolent level is now staying normal

Yup, Heater Core, seems like these HCs that GM used SUCK. I have put THREE HCs in my 92. They leak every summer. My 92's is about as easy as it gets to get to. I've heard the horror stories about pulling the whole dash! Well, GM actually did something right, the heat box is directly behind the radio, under the dash in my 92, you have a 89 but maybe it's the same.

There's a smaller piece that has two hoses, two screws, and a snorkel looking piece for the bottom vents. It's easy to take out, and hard to put back in, it fits between the heat switch flap and another piece of plastic or something. After that's off proceed removing the bastard screws off the box. Some are hard to find but you'll know if you missed one, my box was cracked but I finished it off trying to take it off without removing all of them, now I have a new one from a junkard. Once you get the box out there's two metal strips holding the HC in place.

Good Luck