How big of deal is it to replace the heater plenum and heater core in a 1966 coupe 289 car ? Some people tell me its a nightmare and some say its a walk in the park. I'm a marine mechanic so I'm not completey mental ( well... ) This forums helped me out alot I'd sure appriciate any or all pointers.
ps there's no A/c in this car. Thanks Ken

 

Piece O cake Ken. There are only two major attachement point on the heater box. The fours nuts around the blower motor inside the engine compartment and one sheet metal screw way up under the dash behind the glove compartment. The box must come out to do the job correctly.Cut the heater hoses at the fire wall and replace them. Disconnect the three control cables and jiggle the box out. the plenum will come out with the box. I would recommend if you are going to the trouble to do the heater core go ahead and rebuild the whole box. The kit is cheap and you get all new seals with it. If you are a marine mechanic it will be no problemo.

 

What he said. It is really a fairly easy job. Make sure you don't get the new hoses kinked behind the box. It helps to have some one under the hood pull them as you put the box back.

Also, if the original cardboard defroster plenum is still there you can replace it with a plastic one for 12 bucks.

 

All of the above. I have done the whole job in an hour. If the foam seals are original, add another hour for replacing them.

If your glove box is old and nasty, replace it while the heater is out.

Is that "marine" or "Marine"?

 

I was wondering the same thing. Semper Fi Marine or I work on wet stuff marine.

 

Also put the plenum on the box before reinstalling the box. The screws in the back of the plenum can be a mother with the box installed first.

 

thanks everyone. I like to know how big the can of worms I'm opening. I'll tackle it as soon as the car gets out of paint.
PS It's marine " I work on the wet stuff " marine Thanks again K