Hello, I'm looking for some help. I'm having a hard time following the instructions in the shop manual (removing the heater core).Step 6 in particular that states "disconnect the resistor plug (whats that ?)remove seven retaining screws and the recirculating air grille." I don't know where these parts are or what they look like. I hope that some who has some experience on heater core removal can offer me some advice or some tips to get me through this project. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Mike.

I have a non A/C car. I think the plug-to-resistor they are talking about is for the fan. It is on the front of heater box and fairly easy to get to so you probably have already disconnected it. I am not sure what they are calling the "recirculating air grill" I'll have to look that up in the body manual. May be for A/C. I did not remove any grills to get the heater box out. I did start to remove the fresh air inlet from the box (this is the round "tub" that sits on top of the box and connects to the top of the interior cowl) but found that was overly complex and not really necessary.

I did take the heater motor out before removing the box. This is done from the engine side and was simple. Gave me a little more room when removing the box.

I disconnected the hoses, the control cables and moved wiring out of way. The rest of the removal was unscrewing the 4 bolts in the engine compartment and a couple of bolts that held the box up against the cowl.

Call me if you want too. 1-314-406-2784, I am in the Central time zone.

Vince

Got home and looked in the shop manual and the electrical (not body) manual and I cannot see the mention of a "recirculating grill". I wonder if they mean the grill mounted on the dash used to distribute air for an A/C system? It appears to held on with 4 screws and behind that panel are screws that hold a duct in place.

Good luck.

Hi Vince thanks for responding to my problem. With your input, the service manuals description seems to make a little more sense to me now.I can't work on the car for another day or so but I'll print out your reply and take it with me when I get back at it.Once again thanks, any other input would be appreciated, Mike

Just did a heater core recently on my 66 landua w /air. As Vince says, dont forget there's a couple of nuts on the inside that hold the unit to the firwall/cowl area. If you take off the front faceplate grill assy they are through the ductwork. You'll really need a flashlight to see them. These are in addition to the 5 or so that are on the firewall side. Do take out the blower motor first. While you're at all this I would replace the blower motor or at least ensure that it's working properly. If I remember you'll also have to unplug the 3-pronged lead below the radio speaker area (remove light panel assy) which goes to the cereamic resistor in the housing. Also, while you have it out, ensure that the heater door vacuum motor is working and holding vacuum. You can use a hand vacuum pump to check it. If it isn't holding ( needle steady on vacuum pump) it's leaking and needs to be replaced.

While you're at it check the rest of the vacuum stuff. I was going to replace all my hoses but decided against it and cut of the ends to tighten all the conection points. The whole thing wasn't a fun job and checking the vacuum motor units and connections is quite a pain. Don't forget the emergency brake pull unit which is activated by the shift column lever switch.

Good luck!!

Larry S.
St. Charles, MO

I want to thank Vince and Larry for your help. I just finished stuggling with my heater core monster ( who designed that thing ). Hopefully my new core will last forever.