>> From: Colin Talcroft <[email protected]> Subject: [alfa] Speaking of heater cores
Speaking of heater cores...The one thing fairly major left to do on my 1978 Spider is to install a new heater core. Also, is this a big job? Can anyone give me an estimate of how long it might take amateurs to do it? Is it something best left to a pro? Does it involve anything nasty like removing the dashboard (probably not, but you never know)?. Anything else that would be sensible to replace at the same time? <<<< How hard a job this is depends on how flexible your back is? The heater is held on by only four nuts and the hoses, but .. the four nuts are not easy to get to. * First buy new heater hoses especially the multi-bend formed hose. Should be able to get at any of the suppliers . International also sells the proper straight hose of the right size. * It is also very advisable to buy a new heater control valve .. they wear out and they break. The following is from memory of doing this a couple of years ago . Should be close to reality. * Disconnect the negative lead to the battery! * Move the heater temperature lever (value) to HOT and blow air through one of the disconnected hoses in the engine bay to blow out any remaining antifreeze. * Remove the gear shift lever knob think this one just pulls off. * Remove the ash tray .. if I remember correctly this will allow you to disconnect some of the switch wiring .. make a drawing with color of wires! * Remove screws holding heater controls. * Remove the entire center council. * Using a razor knife carefully cut off the hose going into the heater valve without breaking the plastic valve. * Cut off the other hose near the heater. * Now lie on your back and look up under the dash using a small flashlight you probably will have to move wires out of the way. You will see four nuts (2 each side) that hold the heater to the under side of the dash / cowl. * I think I remember using < size 10mm socket and a long extension probably a wobble extension to get to the nuts. * Note one nut has a ground strap attached to it . Dont forget to put that back on during reassembly. * Now you should be able to put the entire unit out. Note, if this car had AC, it all gets a little more involved. Carl Davis Galena, Illinois, USA 750E, 750F, 101.21, 105.57, 115 -- to be removed from alfa, see http://www.digest.net/bin/digest-subs.cgi or email "unsubscribe alfa" to [email protected]
