I think mine is bad since its leaking from the copper fitting on the left.(hose going to intake) The mechanic said I can loosen some bolts on top of the heater box and its slides out?...I'm not sure.:dontknow:
I'm new to this.

You need to take the cowl air feed screen off the top of the air box on the passenger side, then unbolt and remove the air box cover. Heater core is right there to change, simple swap

Here is a easy step by step instructions & with pics !!

http://www.chevyasylum.com/core/

When I did my heater core I added these shut-off valves to keep the hot water from circulating in the core during the summer months ! I always felt hot air coming out the bottom vents when the AC was off ! (NO MORE HOT AIR) & I open them up when it gets cold !! A few bucks each from lowes plumbing department.

http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/g413/87next2last1/heater%20hose/hose.jpg

Sounds pretty simple! What brand do you guys prefer?

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/Spectra-Premium-Heater-Core/1980-Chevrolet-El-Camino/_/N-ilz7sZ91sh1?counter=1&filterByKeyWord=heater+core&fromString=search&itemIdentifier=144436_0_0_5281

OR

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/MHT0/399088.oap?year=1980&make=Chevrolet&model=El%2BCamino&vi=1042546&ck=Search_heater+core_02709_1042546_663&keyword=heater+core&pt=02709&ppt=C0331

One of the easiest heater cores to swap. Looks like you have good instructions. Most replacement carry a lifetime warranty.

Which brand guys?:dontknow:

Autozone has a better tracking system for the warrenty,, they will work but they are off just a tad on design,, I think Jarhead just went this,, I have changed them out before and the strap that holds it in has to be modified,, PM Jarhead if you like he had his recored,, Matty man

Yeah, i had my original one repaired since it was free from a buddy that owns a shop. None of the aftermarket cores I found were made like the factory one. Averyone on here says theres worked with a little rigging. The recoring job would have cost $120 so i suggest you make the aftermarket work. You have to remove the long metal piece the covers the bottom of the windshile.. not sure what thats called. I removed the passenger wiper arm but then discovered that I could have just turned the wipers on and when they were fully upright, switch the key off. Duh.. There's a lot if info on here about this fix. If you find my thread about my swap in the HVAC section, you'll find some helpful advice. Also. taking the hood off makes it alot easier.:texas: We've been in a drought all year and as soon as I get the hood off, it starts raining. So if you need rain at your place, just take the hood off your car.

So,you're saying the one at Oreilly's doesn't fit?:dontknow:

Regardless of the dealer, the best thing to do is check the warranty. Take the old unit along and compare it to the replacement,make sure the dimensions are the same. A lifetime warranty is only a good as the dealer and the geography they cover. State to state, NAPA is found everywhere. I suggest you check what they offer. It's just my experience, but I can always find a NAPA dealer and they back what they sell. Just keep an envelope with copies of receipts and warrantys in your glove box.

Steelbeast !!
You should read this thread, it will tell you !
http://www.elcaminocentral.com/showthread.php?t=45412

From what I read,the Autozone heater core is the one to go with. I've always been skeptical of AZ parts since they've always failed on me(starters,alternators,batteries)

Thanks for getting the link 87next. Beast, for my experience none of the replacement cores are like the original. That being said, the others that have chimed in have made them work. The AZ CORE fit the worst. I always use napa just cause the guys seem to know more since they're out of the pimple stage..if ya know what I mean.

I got mine from a place here in FL. Called The Parts House ! They sell all the OEM & brand name parts, Like AC delco,motorcraft,Mopar ETC You might have something like that in Texas !! I would rather buy from Napa then AZ

So,I'm still shooting blanks....Jarhead says the AZ core fit the worst,but from the info I've gotten from these stores and a mechanic is that they are all the same fit wise,but the difference between the stores is actually the metal type. Oreilly's sells the aluminum while Napa and AZ sell the copper ones.:dontknow:
Which of the 3 did you guys use with no modifications?(direct plug n play)?

None.. Thats why i had my original one re-done.

This is a good one from Rock Auto !! SPECTRA PREMIUM Part # 94505 W/ AC 29.79 plus s/h

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php

This is a good one from Rock Auto !! SPECTRA PREMIUM Part # 94505 W/ AC 29.79 plus s/h

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php

That's the one I just picked up from AZ

I talked to the owner of the local napa about not finding an exact replacement core. He said that like starters, alternators, water pumps and such items that there was only 1 or 2 rebuilders. So everyone has the same parts, the main difference is the man behind the counter and their warranty. I did not go to the chevy dealer and check. They might actually have one. Hey beast, why not call the dealer. You may get lucky. I was frustrated from trying to find an EXACT replacement , another reason I'm going to the bone yard and grab a couple of core and have them fixed. Just in case.

Well I'll see if it fits when I pull this old one in a couple days....

http://s1097.photobucket.com/albums/g351/1980steelbeast/?action=view&current=MOV00564.mp4

http://s1097.photobucket.com/albums/g351/1980steelbeast/?action=view&current=MOV00571.mp4



Can anyone share these vids directly to this page without these links?


http://s1097.photobucket.com/albums/g351/1980steelbeast/?action=view&current=MOV00571.mp4

Your almost there !! Have fun !! If you got time, You might want to paint some of the stuff while it's off !!

Your almost there !! Have fun !! If you got time, You might want to paint some of the stuff while it's off !!
That's exactly what I'm doing. I have that mesh grill soaking in Simple Green right now. I'm gonna go out maybe tomorrow and spray and scrub a little bit before painting. I wanna clean the chrome trim and touch up the engine bay too.:beer:
Thanx for that link BTW.:You_Rock:

Your welcome !! If you have any questions just ask !! I was half way removing mine when I found that link !! It made it so much easier !! So I wanted to pass it on to make easy for the next person !!
Make sure you get out there & work on your Camino & not eat to much & be a couch potato watching those Cowboys !!
Have a good turkey day !!

I'll try not to watch the Cowgirls. They'll make me vomit up my dinner! Most of them are overpaid,spoiled,divas!:poke:

call around and find a MOLINE dealer - it fits without hassles and has a lifetime warranty

uuhhh...maybe i shoulda read the entire post 1st! looks like you got it goin' on.

So,I'm still taking my time with this heater core. Ive been cleaning and painting some parts along with changing spark plugs and doing minor adjustments.
Here's a few pics....
http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g351/1980steelbeast/2011-11-25160233.jpg
Out with the old...
http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g351/1980steelbeast/2011-11-25161057.jpg
In with the new
http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g351/1980steelbeast/2011-11-25163014.jpg

Glad to see you're almost finished !! Make sure to seal the upper housing good !! :beer:

Why do they ask about A/C when it comes to heater cores? Is there a difference?:dontknow:

I think it has to do with the A/C Evaporator not being there & I think ends from the heater core are different !!:dontknow:

Great job so far!!!:nanawrench:
One thing I do notice is that the old is longer and looks to have about 15% more coil surface? I wonder how thats going to effect temp output? Here in Texas it may not matter but up north???:dontknow:
Donny

Great job so far!!!:nanawrench:
One thing I do notice is that the old is longer and looks to have about 15% more coil surface? I wonder how thats going to effect temp output? Here in Texas it may not matter but up north???:dontknow:
Donny
Thanks! Another thing that's different is the bottom of the new core. Its more rounded than the original but it still fits inside the clamp in the heater core housing. When I went to AZ,I pulled out both A/C and non A/C,I didn't see a difference. I also noticed that AZ carries the same heater core as Summit Racing. Hopefully its good like theirs. So with that being said,lets see how it works when I get everything bolted back up later.

Everything is put back together,but I noticed I have 4 extra bolts...Not sure where they go.:dontknow:
Oh well,everything seems tight:???:
I have to run a toggle switch for the heater since It wasn't working after the engine swap.(that's my cheap fix for now)
Thanks for the link,and I'll put pics up tomorrow!:beer:

First lets say you have 4 screews left over not bolts. (Steel Beast with a few loose screews!!!!):poke:
Second , (no pics. it never happened!!!)
And last, good timing, 36 degrees this morning!!!:nanawrench:
Donny

Sorry its been 2 weeks since the last update. I finished up the heater core swap since my last post. I haven't installed the windshield chrome because of work and being hella busy. Here's some pics! Oh yea,The toggle switch has been ran too!
New sealant!
http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g351/1980steelbeast/2011-12-07114351.jpg
All closed up!
http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g351/1980steelbeast/2011-12-07123216.jpg
Didn't paint the fan motor yet since I ran out of paint....:let_it_all_out:

glad to see you got it done !! That link sure makes it alot easier !!

Sure did. Thanks again!

What about the girl on the pogo stick ? LOL>.... good job some day soon I'll have to hook up my heater. :beer:

What about the girl on the pogo stick ? LOL>.... good job some day soon I'll have to hook up my heater. :beer:
A pogo stick is one of the most annoying sounds ever!