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Heater core removal and replacement......without removing dash or A/C

AfghanaScram

AfghanaScram

Basic User
City
College Station
State
TX
DISCLAIMER: Yes I know that there's a million of threads similar to this one but I wanted to include one of my own. Mainly just to up my stats and so I could clear up some memory on my phone.​

Q: Why are you changing the heater core?
A: Because it's leaking.
Q: But a heater in Texas?
A: It does get cold here and yes I know that it'll probably be 98 degrees out tomorrow with 110% humidity and this heater won't get turned on for another eight months.
Q: What's next on the list?
A: FLUX CAPACITOR naturally
​














NOW TIME FOR CHOW...GOING TO REPLACE IT WITH NEW CORE AFTERWARDS. STAY TUNED!​
 
1. You don't need to remove the battery tray, but I can see how that might make access easier.
2. No, you don't need to pull the metal cover to replace the blower motor.
3. You should seriously consider upgrading to the Chevy blower motor while you have the box out.
 
AK-RWC said:
3. You should seriously consider upgrading to the Chevy blower motor while you have the box out.
Click to expand...

Agree with this 110% (however, I refer to it as the YJ blower motor). Best $25 investment I've made.
 
Spieg said:
(however, I refer to it as the YJ blower motor)
Click to expand...

Why?

When I did this swap originally, it was in a CJ that I'd already done the YJ tub conversion to. The OEM hole in the YJ firewall was identical to the CJ, which tells me that the blower motors are within a similar power range (if not identical part numbers). Jumping up to the Chevy motor requires enlarging the hole to accommodate a physically larger (and more powerful) motor.
 
AK-RWC said:
1. You don't need to remove the battery tray, but I can see how that might make access easier.
2. No, you don't need to pull the metal cover to replace the blower motor.
3. You should seriously consider upgrading to the Chevy blower motor while you have the box out.
Click to expand...

Of course my suggestions aren't written in stone and should be the only way things are done, but it's how I got it done. As far as the Chevy blower motor: do you have a part number I can reference? Or which model does it come out of so I know what to tell the folks at O'Reily's?
 
73 Blazer with a 350 and AC if I remember correctly from when I did mine. But wait for others who can confirm or provide a part number.


Dain
 
gr8dain said:
73 Blazer with a 350 and AC if I remember correctly from when I did mine. But wait for others who can confirm or provide a part number.


Dain
Click to expand...

Someone mentioned above that I may have to cut a larger hole. Is this accurate? I'd like to keep things as close to original as possible, but as you can see, I'm not doing very well. LOL
 
Yes. You will beed a slightly larger hole. Sorry. But well worth the improvement in airflow.


Dain
 
gr8dain said:
Yes. You will beed a slightly larger hole. Sorry. But well worth the improvement in airflow.


Dain
Click to expand...

I just wish I were doing this before it gets cold....not when it's about to get ridiculously hot here in Texas! Thank you sir for your input!
 
I did mine in June as well. Did not get the benefits for a long time. But had to do it.


Dain
 
AK-RWC said:
Why?

When I did this swap originally, it was in a CJ that I'd already done the YJ tub conversion to. The OEM hole in the YJ firewall was identical to the CJ, which tells me that the blower motors are within a similar power range (if not identical part numbers). Jumping up to the Chevy motor requires enlarging the hole to accommodate a physically larger (and more powerful) motor.
Click to expand...

If you go to NAPA (and other vendors), they sell you the same part but you don't have to be concerned about the A/C option (the YJ uses the same motor regardless of the A/C).

The stock CJ blower motor is 3" diameter. What you want is the 3-3/8" diameter motor with the short shaft (NAPA#6551039). This part number is sold to fit 73 Blazer w/o A/C AND 87 YJ.

It will require enlarging the hole in the CJ firewall about half an inch (1/4" all the way around).
Heater Blower Motor.PNG
 
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When i bought my heater motor (a couple weeks ago)
I bought the Blazer motor. The Napa guy said the part number was also for the YJ and he also said it was for an 86 CJ as well. I dont know if that is accurate but thats what he told me.
 
I like the edited pictures with words and arrows. You doing that with some sort of ap? Good stuff!

Amazing condition scrambler too :thumbsup:
 
4a2udute-1.jpg


Tapatalk. !!
 
PM102 is the part number for the blazer motor. WELL worth it. Even if you don't use it for heat, it also actually makes your defroster work!

Yes, you have to slightly enlarge the hole in the firewall, but other than the increase in airflow, you can't really see anything different once the battery tray and air box are back in place. It's like a stealth improvement!
 
Bad Karma said:
When i bought my heater motor (a couple weeks ago)
I bought the Blazer motor. The Napa guy said the part number was also for the YJ and he also said it was for an 86 CJ as well. I dont know if that is accurate but thats what he told me.
Click to expand...

Interesting, maybe I'll start calling it the "86 blower motor upgrade". :cheers:
 
Nice write up. I still have mine to do, so this write up with the others will definitely help.
 
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