Oh no! Not the Heater Core!

Yes, no need to remove the upper dash.

That's it, remove the kick panel, then the long black heater vent, then the heater matrix (core) cover, and you're ready to remove the matrix (core). You'll need to disconnect the control rod from the heater valve.

If you're gonna go through all the trouble to change a heater core I strongly suggest you buy a new one. Putting in a used core is just begging to have to go through all the work again later.

That's the one case where a used part isn't so bad, if you get lucky and find one that's almost new.

Replace all the dash bulbs, not just the ones that are burned out. Bulbs are cheap, the good ones will burn out soon enough if you don't replace them.

Update: heater core replacement completed. Only another five hours today(!). This project was NOT fun. Good luck to others who will need to do this. One tip I learned: before reinstalling the padded lower dash pad, re connect the heater control rod arm to the heater control via laying on your back on the front seats, look up into the backside of the dash where you can easily see the male end of the heater control. Next carefully remove one of the switches on the control panel next to the heater control (i suggest the hazard switch) now you can orient the rod via your left and right hand's/fingers from the front and back of the dash and get it into place without guessing. After this workout, I'm almost ready to tackle cylinder head gasket. Of course you know I will probably end up pulling the engine out and doing a top end overhaul. Why the hell not?????????/

Which explains why it was a 600 bucker!

Park the shitbox and come inside!

Steph