now does anyone know where they sell those heater cclip pliers, i know a lot people use other pliers, or screwdrivers, but it would be nice to have the ones that make it a lot easier, ive searched all over the internet for them but nothing.

 

If you use a 5/16" flat screwdriver, inserted into one of the slots, and angle the screwdriver to gently spread the jaws of the clip, they come off cleanly, without so much as a scratch to the heater case. No special tool required, nor as far as I know, exists. And I've done more of these than I can count.

 

I don't. Waste of time. And I've done this job "on the clock".

The first thing to do is remove the dash pad. Here's a tip for not wrecking it- The woodgrain panel on the right, or black if not a mach1/deluxe interior, comes off with the pad. It is screwed to the pad from the back.

 

ive taken the dash pad off before and, as i remember, it wasnt that bad. when i read the instructions in the manual thats all i had to take off but now i know i have to remove the instrument cluster, radio and heater controls so i can remove the lower dash. taking the steering wheel off only takes a few minutes. that way i figure it will be out of the way.

 

Yeah, the pad only takes a few minutes. The steel base takes a lot more. The cluster comes out before the dash pad, but the matching RH panel comes out as part of the pad. If taking the wheel apart and out makes you more comfortable, go for it. I typically do this on the clock, so the extra time to R&R the wheel adds up.

 

well ill see if i really need to take it out.

 

Hmmm… Considering there's about an inch and a half between the dash and the heater, I don't see any way out of it.

 

im talking about the steering wheel. i know i have to take everything else out.

 

Gotcha

 

well two days and 14 hours later and its done. now i did waist at least 2 hours trying to figure out how to get some things on and off, plus replaced both heater hoses and vacuum lines under good to under dash. plus recharging the AC. also changing all the gaskets and seals in the heater/ac box. but all and all it wasnt has bad as i thought it was going to be. good to know i wont be doing it again. i was really amazed how big the AC evaporator is, geez that thing is huge. thanks for the info here.