Heater core cover

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Steven Petersen

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How many screws hold on the heater core cover in an 88? My manual says 7. I can only find 6 and I got the really hard one in the back out. But it still won’t drop down. I’m scared to pull on it too hard and break it.
 

kenh

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There is one up in a hole on the right side. Once you have the screws out it will come loose but you will have to fight it a bit to get it to clear the heater core and lines.
 

Steven Petersen

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There is one up in a hole on the right side. Once you have the screws out it will come loose but you will have to fight it a bit to get it to clear the heater core and lines.
I got the one up in the hole and the real hard one in the back left near the transmission hump. I’ve only found 6. My manual says 7, but every article I find on the internet says 6. Do you know how many yours has? I’ve done this multiple times in the past but it’s been 20 plus years ago. I only remember the really hard one.
 

454cid

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I think the 7th screw is the one holding the heater core in with the tiny metal bracket. Last time I did mine the cover didnt want to come off either.
 

Stephen

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I just replaced the core on my 96 C3500 CCLBSRW. What a PIA. Nothing on YT showed the whole picture. I needed to remove the 6 hex head(5.5mm) screws from the cover first but the cover cannot be completely removed until the screw that holds the metal tab that holds the core in place is loosened to allow the core to drop down. The one cover screw that is in back nearest the fire wall is the hardest to get out. The one on the end nearest the trans hump will take a 5.5mm box end wrench to remove. If an attempt is made before cover the core is hanging loose the rear most tab WILL break off making a trip to the pick and pull or an attempt to reattach it with epoxy which I did. The reverse is the only way to get it back together. Attach the hoses to the new core but let it hang the get the cover in place but no screws installed and then tighten screw that holds the core in place then reinstall all the cover screws. None of the videos on YT helped and the one on 1A Auto showed removing the cover screws but then stated it was not necessary to completely remove the cover to get the old core out but then skipped to show the cover on the floor with the tab broken off. Don't know if this would apply to your year model truck be maybe it will.

Additionly once I got the old core out there was no indication of any leak on the main body of the core. The only discoloration was where the hoses were attached. I found that there was a pin hole in the core on the hose end right where the clamps held the hose on the core. This caused a fine stream of coolant to squirt back in where it passes thru the fire wall. Might could have repaired the hole but had my new core by then.
 
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