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HEATER COIL LEAKS |
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Doug in New Freedom
AMC Apprentice Joined: Aug/02/2014 Location: NEW FREEDOM, PA Status: Offline Points: 149 |
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Posted: Dec/22/2018 at 12:04pm |
In my "68 AMX the heater coil behind the Dash has a leak and I'm wondering if it is possible to prevent this with out removing it from the car. The process of replacing it would require removing the Dash Board near the Glove Box, which I believe could damage the dash creating an even worse situation. I'm thinking there might be a solution other then with less cause for concern. Although not as efficient as a working original heater coil, would it be possible to by pass the coil somehow, or run a smaller diameter tube or hose through the existing copper coil of the heater? Has anyone found a solution for fixing the heater box that leaks with out tearing the dash apart? I no longer open the heater valve on the block to the heater and I disconnected the Dash Controls to the valve. Fortunately I have no damage, or stains from the leak, I caught it immediately when it occurred and have lived with out heat for a couple years now.
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Doug in New Freedom
68 AMX 69 CHEVY C1O PICKUP 74 PORSCHE 914 84 K5 BLAZER |
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ccowx
AMC Addicted Joined: Nov/03/2010 Location: Yukon Status: Offline Points: 3510 |
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You can certainly bypass the heater core, which you have essentially done already. I doubt that you can get any worthwhile heat out of a simple copper pipe through the leaking core or any other fix that does not remove the core. It is actually not that difficult, particularly in a 68. Be glad that you don't own a 70!
I would suggest that this topic might be better placed in the Body/Interior MB, since it has nothing to do with the engine. Chris
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401MATCOUPE
AMC Addicted Joined: May/20/2010 Location: Salisbury, MD Status: Offline Points: 5367 |
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Do you have factory A/C? IF not, it is relatively easy to remove the heater box with core without removing the dash on a 68 Javelin/AMX. Take the heater hoses off the heater core and remove the blower motor assembly from the front side of firewall. There are only two cables to the heater box assembly, remove the clips that hold the cable housings to the box and clips that hold the inner cables to the doors (defrost and heat). There is one #3 phillips screw the holds the far right of the box to the side of the passenger compartment structure above the dash attachment bolt, open the glove box door to make all this easier or remove it. The there are 5 #2 phillips screws around the outer perimeter of the box, hardest one to reach is the far left and far right top, but they are doable. Once these screws are out, the box comes right out. I find it most helpful to remove the passenger seat to give better room as I get older!! Reverse the order to go back together, you just need to "rig" the cables to the proper positions to put the cable casing clips back on, for me that is the hardest part.
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Ross K. Peterson
68X,GoPac,343,AT,52A(1stCar) 68X,GoPac,390,4sp,52A 69X,GoPac,390,4sp,64A 70X,GoPac,390,4sp,87A,8 70X,GoPac,390,4sp,BBO,8 70 Jav SST,390,AT,BSO 74MatX,401,AT,Prototype 74MatX,401,AT |
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Doug in New Freedom
AMC Apprentice Joined: Aug/02/2014 Location: NEW FREEDOM, PA Status: Offline Points: 149 |
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Thanks very much 401 MATCOUPE for the detailed info.
No A/C to worry about. I'll look for a replacement Heater Core and give this a try when the weather warms up. Your detailed directions are great and I've printed them out. I've had the seats out before to replace the padding, which was easy to do. Worth a try. Hope the weather this coming year eventually gets us to Cecil in 2019. See you there hopefully. Doug
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Doug in New Freedom
68 AMX 69 CHEVY C1O PICKUP 74 PORSCHE 914 84 K5 BLAZER |
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LakesideRamblin
AMC Addicted Joined: Dec/21/2015 Location: So. California Status: Offline Points: 2694 |
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Going to remove my heater box on my 69 Rambler (American) to install a heater box gasket kit and place a new firewall pad underneath. Obviously, I will check the heater core as well.
Would this be the same procedure as Ross explains above? No A/C car. No way I want to remove the dash for this procedure. But front seat is definitely coming out (no pretzel body anymore). Thanks. Matt
Edited by LakesideRamblin - Jan/04/2019 at 2:16pm |
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LakesideRamblin
69 Rambler 360 73 Javelin 360 "If you could kick the person in the pants responsible for most of your trouble, you wouldn't sit for a month." T. Roosevelt |
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Doug in New Freedom
AMC Apprentice Joined: Aug/02/2014 Location: NEW FREEDOM, PA Status: Offline Points: 149 |
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Matt,
I'm not sure if it is your Rambler has the same set up as the '68 AMX I have. I haven't started to do mine yet, waiting for warmer weather and a source for a replacement CORE. Probably will work on it early spring and I see Cores listed on line at Kennedy and AMERICAN Parts DEPOT selling FOR AROUND $ 120.
Doug |
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Doug in New Freedom
68 AMX 69 CHEVY C1O PICKUP 74 PORSCHE 914 84 K5 BLAZER |
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69BBB3904spAMX
AMC Addicted Charter Member Joined: Jun/29/2007 Location: San Jose, CA Status: Offline Points: 2761 |
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I have heard the bracket on the heater cores available from the vendors was not correct and needs modifications in order to fit...
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37 Ford Tudor 60 hp V8 flathead, all original, never restored
69BBB3904spAMX 70 Camaro 1st car 74 Hornet Hatch 6 cyl floor/auto 2007,2008,2009 PT Cruisers Aluminum Deck Car Trailer |
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Ollie
AMC Addicted Joined: Sep/17/2012 Location: Brandon, MS Status: Offline Points: 2803 |
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Matt, The same procedure......but i only remember 2 screws holding the heater box in. Yes it is easier to remove the glove box. About a 10 minute job. I couldn't find a heater core so my radiator man built one. Having AMC Fun, Ollie
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1966 American Convertible -- "The Rambler"..SOLD
1974 Postal Jeep -- "Rapid Delivery"...SOLD 1969 Rambler 220 post car--"Road Warrior" 1989 Jeep Comanche Pioneer, 4.0L, auto, 2wd |
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LakesideRamblin
AMC Addicted Joined: Dec/21/2015 Location: So. California Status: Offline Points: 2694 |
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Thanks everyone for the replies.
Ollie, that sounds great. I saw the two screws against the firewall this morning. Was hoping there were no more hidden up top and hard to get to. That would be no bueno . Ordered a heater box gasket/seal replacement kit while I'm at it from Detroit Muscle Technologies as others on the Forum have raved about their products and service. Like giving the good ones my business.
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LakesideRamblin
69 Rambler 360 73 Javelin 360 "If you could kick the person in the pants responsible for most of your trouble, you wouldn't sit for a month." T. Roosevelt |
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Steve_P
AMC Addicted Charter Member Joined: Jun/28/2007 Status: Offline Points: 3808 |
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Like Ross said, these are easy to do in the car. I would also remove the glove box as it's only two bolts/nuts and gives you more access.
It's possible the original core can be repaired but it depends on where the leak is. But, if it's been out of commission for a few years it may not be worth the risk as without coolant in it the damage tends to grow/advance. The original cores are date coded so before you scrap it, you might offer it up here in the unlikely case someone is looking. You can also have the plates transferred to a new core if you want to keep the PN and date code |
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