I'm looking for a heater core for this truck. The current one is bypassed so I must assume it leaks. I wonder if these trucks share the same heater core as the C30 trucks in this generation? I read somewhere that a lot of interior parts are the same but I haven't been in a position to confirm yet.
I plan try and pull it tomorrow and see if it can be repaired or if I can at least match it up to an older GM vehicle laying around the property. I'm sure I'll be able to come up with something but I'm also willing to take the easy way if somebody has already been there done that!
Amazon has the following for a 1977 C30: Spectra Industrial Heater Core 94553 under $30. Not a bad price if it will work.
I'm looking for a heater core for this truck. The current one is bypassed so I must assume it leaks. I wonder if these trucks share the same heater core as the C30 trucks in this generation? I read somewhere that a lot of interior parts are the same but I haven't been in a position to confirm yet.
I plan try and pull it tomorrow and see if it can be repaired or if I can at least match it up to an older GM vehicle laying around the property. I'm sure I'll be able to come up with something but I'm also willing to take the easy way if somebody has already been there done that!
Amazon has the following for a 1977 C30: Spectra Industrial Heater Core 94553 under $30. Not a bad price if it will work.
Happy wife = happy life. Gotta get heat in there!
Were you able to compare with the C30 (or another specimen) with any results?
I have not been able to compare yet, however I am still in research mode. I finally got the truck up on the slab tonight so I can begin to take things apart tomorrow. I need to pull the wheels off to redo the brakes. I also plan to do the heater core at the same time. I'd rather pull the existing core before I order parts.
I looked at Rock Auto for a heater core for the C30 but there are variances in the pictures which led me to wanting to pull it first.
I will attach pics of my firewall and what Rock shows. I will also include a pic of a core I recently replaced on a 3rd gen Firebird.
Thanks BowtieJunkie. I am in a similar situation. Installing a new engine in a 78 6000. Went to install new heater hoses and the top just "fell" out. Have not been able to find a direct replacement. I have not removed mine yet as I have been working on other tasks before cold weather hits. Again, Thanks!!
I'm trying really hard to get this done this week. Not just for me, but for you as well. I started working on it today, but had a call at one of my properties and ended up having to go spend several hours diagnosing and repairing a heat pump. I should have more info by the weekend.
Once I get the old core out, I have a buddy that works for Autozone, so we should be able to get something the next day to match up. My goal is to be able to provide something conclusive so that the next person can easily order what they need without question with part numbers.
BowtieJunkie, I don't know if you were able to compare yet, but I have. I ordered a core from rockauto (#OSC 98553) that is identified for 1978 Chevrolet K10, NON-A/C w/350. The core was less that $40 including shipping. This core fit with no issues. I think the install is easier in the C6000 than my C10.
Sorry for the delayed response. We lost some friends and family and took a break from the internet mostly. Thank you for the reply and pics. How did it go on the inside? Prior to last November when I planned on doing this, it looked like a 'BEAR' to get to the heater core. Was it not actually that bad?
My other go-to was going to be one of those generic Heater/AC kits you can get for under the dash at a cost of around $400.
Under the dash surprisingly was not bad at all, certainly not a bear. I think most of the bolting was from under the hood and a few screws were under the dash. I did make a video of the steps if you ever want to look before starting.
Have you looked at any specific units for under dash? Curious what you may have found.
I did look (and bought) an under-dash a/c unit for the 78. After receiving and test mounting, there was no way I could find for the evaporator to mount. The smallest aftermarket evaporator unit I could find is around 11 inches deep and around 4 inches tall. With the factory driver side heat duct still in place, no place for mounting exists. It would literally be in the floorboard area. With the duct removed, there is only around 4 inches available under the dash - still not enough room, and there is no heat for the driver side floor. I did not consider a heat - A/C combo unit. To be honest, I did not know there were any available "with heat". Perhaps with all of the heating duct removed, more room may exists? Would they connect to the existing defrost for the windshield? I decided to scrap the idea of a/c.
Bowtie Junkie 50 yrs ago the radiator shop had about a 4x8 foot sheet of heater core material. They would cut out a core and put your tanks on it. I saw several cut-outs taken out of it.
I wouldn't mind checking out your video. Did you put it on YouTube?
As far as the under-dash AC + heat unit goes, this would only provide hot and cold air out of the front of the unit itself and not be able to service the existing ports on the truck. So no defrost up on the windshield, but as of now, the truck does nothing, so I figured something is better than nothing. Life changes, things change, and I intend to use the truck as a dump truck instead of the conversion I had planned earlier. I found myself becoming addicted to Skid Steers and Track loaders. Having purchased both recently, now every neighbor, and their family wants to put me to work. This is not a bad thing, but now I need to get the truck road worthy (brake issues) and a little heat and AC would be nice too.
Originally Posted by LexAdmn
Under the dash surprisingly was not bad at all, certainly not a bear. I think most of the bolting was from under the hood and a few screws were under the dash. I did make a video of the steps if you ever want to look before starting.
Have you looked at any specific units for under dash? Curious what you may have found.
I did look (and bought) an under-dash a/c unit for the 78. After receiving and test mounting, there was no way I could find for the evaporator to mount. The smallest aftermarket evaporator unit I could find is around 11 inches deep and around 4 inches tall. With the factory driver side heat duct still in place, no place for mounting exists. It would literally be in the floorboard area. With the duct removed, there is only around 4 inches available under the dash - still not enough room, and there is no heat for the driver side floor. I did not consider a heat - A/C combo unit. To be honest, I did not know there were any available "with heat". Perhaps with all of the heating duct removed, more room may exists? Would they connect to the existing defrost for the windshield? I decided to scrap the idea of a/c.
Bowtie Junkie 50 yrs ago the radiator shop had about a 4x8 foot sheet of heater core material. They would cut out a core and put your tanks on it. I saw several cut-outs taken out of it.
I remember when you could take your radiator to a shop because it leaked and they would go through the entire thing and solder what needed to be and you were good to go. Today, they have plastic tanks and are thrown away.
Thank you for the videos, LexAdmn. VERY helpful. You're right, it's not that bad at all. I'm going to do what you did and get the existing heater going first. If I decided to add A/C, I can get a stand alone unit for that and fabricate whatever else is necessary later on.
