1987 gm heater core removal

[Roelse]

My 87 Mercury grand Marquis is leaking coolant on the front passenger floor. What is involved to remove the heater core?

[6502dude]

Replacement of heater core will require dash to be removed to get at heater plenium. Dealer will charge about 6 hours labour. New heater core is about $50. I have heard that Explorer heater core replacement is 10 hour charge at dealer (ouch!)

If you live in moderate climate, try bypassing heater core in engine compartment with U connecting output heater hose to input heater hose. 1/2" copper pipe with a couple of 90 degree elbows will do the job for bypass. This will allow you to run car until you get a chance to do repair.

I had mine bypassed all last summer until I did heater core replacement in the fall.

If aren't lucky enough to live in moderate climate, heater core replacement is not too bad a job, but plan on this for a weekend project. Hopefully you have heated garage to work in.

Chiltons manual (available at many libraries) will provide steps for replacement.

[Roelse]

The Chilton and Motor manuals at the library give a procedure to remove the plenium and therefore the core without removing the dash. (86-88)

[would rather pay]

Originally Posted by Roelse

The Chilton and Motor manuals at the library give a procedure to remove the plenium and therefore the core without removing the dash. (86-88)

I just found your forum. I imagine i may be here some, cuz my cars are old

I just figured out my heater core is shot in the last day or two. So I figured I would do a search on it.

Is the procedure to remove heater core without removing the dash still a weekend project?

I am just assuming you may have noticed while reading. Don't want to spend a weekend doing it. --LOL May have to though-heheee

Of course, I would rather pay, but wallet is empty

Thanks

[Tominator2000]

Well, I did the heater core swap on my '95. Twas a real batch let me tell you!

The hardest part is just the discovery of the parts that need removed. Mitchell was little help. Haynes was less. Autozone site...ditto.

Now that I know how, I'd bet a 5 hour job as opposed to the 8 hours and lots of dirty words it took me.



I never did get that plenum all the way out, but just enough to install the core.

Oh, and Autozone had the core for $25 exchange. It was brass where the oem was aluminum,