Heater core R & R w/ fact a/c- who has done it?
 

My core is leaking ( I know- NO ONE wishes they were me).

Am curious who has made this repair?

Does the dash pad have to come out? or can you get the heater box out with the dash in place to swap the heater core? It seems you cannot.
Then, there is the suitcase-

Have already pulled the console, passenger seat, r fender well.
Have suitcase somewhat loose, etc It does not appear I can remove it without pulling the fender too. ugh

I've replaced heater cores in several GTOs and Catalinas and this Firebird seems 10 times as difficult so, am learning to hate the car because of it.

Hoping I do not have to pull the dash assy but, it appears I do.

Anyone done this have any tips? thanks

Did a heater core on my '73 Formula with A/C many years ago and did not remove the dash or the fender but it was a pain. I did have to remove all ducting under the dash and was able to finagle the thing out but it does take patience and care. Keep working at it as you are almost there.

A few years ago I had to replace mine on a second gen TA, soon after putting in a new carpet which sucked. Like above, no dash or fender removal.

Forgot to mention that I did have to remove the glove box also.

thanks for the replies so far. Just had Bfast and know heading out to work further on this frustrating endevour.
glove box out, r wheel well out, suitcase loose but, still somewhat in place.
console, passenger seat, radio - out.

Having parts cars at my disposal, I opted a few days back to pull one out of a parts TA. engine and r fender already off of this practice TA. suitcase is easy to remove if fender and engine are out of car ( as the parts car is ) but, on a complete assembled and running TA, a different story.

Getting the heater box out of the part car, I damamged the dash. I do not want to do that to my complete car of course. That super long tube on the core is a major pain.

compared to working on a GTO or Catalina, the f bird is a real bear. just not designed as well as other Pontiacs and it is frustrating.

any other experienced replies, welcomed.
Going back at it now.....

Bypass it, it’ll never be the same. Plus in Az you dont need the heat.

you obviously do not know Arizona with its 7 climate zones.
Heat is essential

Been there a lot. Second home. lol
I’m in Detroit, and did the bypass. So I know you can.

Have done it in the 80 TA. Had to loosen bottom of fender to remove inner. Put tape at seam to protect it from hitting door and damaging paint. Dash dosnt need to be removed. Its a pain.

I did mine last year. I removed the inner wheel well, that gave plenty of room on the outside. Did not remove dash. The inside HVAC box has to come out a certain way, like roll and reverse, get frustrated and then turn it a little and it comes out. I pulled the carpet back and I am glad I did, plus it was leaking a little and allowed me to clean up. I did not pull seat but removed console. Kind of a pain but not terrible. I took everything apart and cleaned it all up, 49 years of dirt and dust.

nuts
More snow yesterday. I want my heater

I guess you are more skilled than I am. I cannot see how the heater box can come out with that passenger side a/ ducting in place. I ended up pulling the dash
thanks for the pics

I ended up pulling the dash as well as all the other stuff. Just cannot see how that box can come out with that a/c duct there. everything is very tight.

Was not able to figure out how to pull the heater box with dash and a/c ducting in place. Trying to r and r that passenger duct while the dash is in the car would be a night mare IMO.
I ended up unbolting the dash in its entirety but, lifted and slid out the passenger side leaving the driver side in place. I used 2 1" ratchet straps to suspend the dash. This was a bit easier ( if the word 'easy' could be used) with the r t top removed and attached the strap hook to an attachment on my ceiling in my shop. with the strip holding up the dash, I was able to slide out the heater box and replace the core.
I ended up using a used core! some may think that is nuts but, I have been collecting Pontiacs over 45 years now and have many Firebird/TA parts cars for over 30 years. Heater cores do not age when dry and not in use. I pulled a clean one our of a 79 TA and used it.
I do not know how many alum heater cores I have purchased and then had to exchange under warrantee. I'l never use an alum heater core again if I do not have to.

So, after this was done and the dash almost removed, I decided to dig deeper in the project and pulled the dash out.
Some years ago, I had a dash restored for the car and had no intention to install it until I painted the T/A but, decided to install the new dash since I was this far into this mess.
With all my decades of working on GTOs and Catalinas, this is really the first Firebird that I have serviced a heater core on.
I can say, everything on the Firebird is more difficult to service over a GTO or Catalina. So, I am trying to keep liking the car though I would much rather work on one of my other Pontiacs.
Will be glad when it is over. Having a heater is a good thing. We got more snow the last few days here in eastern Az.
thanks everyone for the advice and replies. Have a nice weekend!

It is difficult to do but not impossible, just very frustrating. I agree, it is easier on the bigger cars. When I put everything together, I "sealed" up all of connections to make it more efficient. I replaced some of the A/C parts, condenser, and reinstalled the compressor. I am going to get the system recharged this spring. My wife likes A/C. She has a 2017 Camaro SS and likes all of the comforts it has. Quite a difference between my 1976 Firebird and her Camaro but I love driving my Firebird.

Anybody know how the GM dealership shop guys did it back in the day? If they pulled the dash, must of cost a bunch.