95 Heater Core + HVAC Problems

[Softwolf]

Of course, it's that time of year...many owners of older Blazers are having failing heater cores and unfortunately, I'm one of them. I've read the 'How To' and am scared to death of this job, but don't have the funds to take it to a shop, so I'm stuck blowing a weekend on this repair.

Are there any specifics that I should know about doing replacing a heater core on a 1995 that may not have been covered in the 'How To'?

Does anyone have any other pics that might be helpful? I'm particularly wondering about the removal of an after-market CD player - I can't quite see how it's held in place (screws in the side???)

Also, are there any other issues I should look for while I have the dash off? Specifically, I have some HVAC problems (air always comes out of the defrost vent, no matter what I have the controls set to - vacuum presumably). Is there anything in back of the dash that I might want to get at to diagnose this problem or any parts that I want buy before I totally disable my primary vehicle?

Any advice, prayers, general encouragement or beer donations opcorn: would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Dawn

[MT-2500]

Check and read the the how to section real good.
I would check the vacuum on the heater controls before pulling dash all of the way off and try to find that problem there.

One of the best info sources of info on it is a factor repair manual or a all data sub.
http://www.alldata.com/products/diy/index.html

[Softwolf]

Thanks, I'll check it out before I make matters worse and get halfway into a job I can't finish.