Failed heater core- '67 Barracuda small block, no A/C.

yarcraft91 said
The heater core failed today in my trusty '67 Barracuda. Darn thing only lasted 52+ years! Sopping up the mess now.

The car is a small block without factory A/C. My factory service manual's procedure for replacing the core only covers cars with factory A/C. It looks like the procedure would be much simpler in my car, but before I dig into it, I'll ask. Has anyone replaced a heater core in a non-A/C Gen 2 Barracuda/Valiant?

While I wait for parts, I'll bypass the heater core so I can keep driving the car. Never drive it in cold weather anyway.

Yes, it's possible to replace the heater core without removing the dash... It can be a little tough, but it can be done...

There are about 5 studs that you can remove the nuts from the engine compartment that hold the duct work in... Then there is another "J-hook" that is in the vent door on the passenger side that you have to remove the small bolt to... Then remove the defrost hoses and the cables from the heater box that control the doors and I believe then you can try to get the ducts out from under the dash... be patient and careful..

Once the ducts are out of the car, then remove the metal clips that go around the seam for the two halves of the ducts... Then you can remove the heater core... Be careful installing the new heater core as I have found that the tubes may not be bent the same as the originals and may interfere with the duct box... Don't force it in as you can crack the box, if need be, grind some away for the tubes to fit and the heater core to sit back in it's nest...

While you are in there, you may as well replace the foam as it's pretty old and brittle... Go to a home improvement/hardware store and buy some generic foam to replace the old worn out foam... Make sure to replace the foam around the heater core so no air leaks around it for best heater performance...

Then carefully put the heater box back together and wrestle it back into position under the dash while trying to line up the studs with the holes in the firewall... Then install the long J-hook in the vent door and just start the bolt before securing the nuts on the studs in the firewall... Reinstall the cables from the control unit on the ducts but be careful when installing and removing those metal clips for them so you don't break anything - they can be tricky/difficult sometimes... After the ducts are in and the cables are on, then put the defrost vent hoses back on... If there's anything that I forgot to mention, hook that back up also...

Good luck...