Unfortunately you do have to pull the dashboard but it's alot easier than other dashboards I've removed. The steering column doesn't have to come out. You can unbolt it from the dash support and lay it down on the seat,(pulled way back and lowered). Try not to turn the wheel once its unbolted. Unplug and unbolt the dashboard and remove it. Then you have to remove the case that the core is in,unbolt it from the firewall and disconnect the hoses going to the engine. Split the case and replace the heater core. If you're still interested,your best bet is to have some text and visual references. This is not a killer job and you can do it. Especially if you have a helper with removing and installing the dash. I would suggest you go to the AutoZone site below and sign up,(it's free), to get an idea of what it entails. If you decide to tackle it and you want better references go to All Data DIY and you can subscribe to the Honda Factory manuals, 1 year for $19.95. That'll give you step by step repair info to everything on the car plus specs,recalls,TSB's etc. It'll also give ya access to labor times and factory parts pricing and part numbers.
AutoZone:
http://www.autozone.com/az/cds/en_us...rInfoPages.htm
All Data Diy:
www.alldatadiy.com/alldatadiy/DIY
It will be a good experience for you and your son and a chance to work together especially if he's of the age where he'll be going off to school soon. It'll also teach him to stay in school and not want to turn wrenches the rest of his life! But he'll learn his way around tools and automobiles. In his future years he'll have a feel for what it takes to fix a car and maybe even know when someones BS'in him on an estimate.
I hope this helps.