I searched. When you replace the heater core on a 63 Riv. do you have to pull the whole center console out? Just part of the dash out? ,or can you access it through the firewall? I'm sure I'll figure it out either way, I'm just lookin for a little help.
You can't get it from the outside and I am pretty certain that you will be removing the console. I hear it's a 6 hour job. Sorry.
I did this about 4 years ago. Speedcity is right. Its from the inside. BTW, this job sucks donkey dongs! Take your time, it should go fine, just time consuming and make sure you stretch out before you start. Good luck.
Wow. I guess I'll chime in here as well.... as said, this job DOES suck donkey dongs..!! huge pain in the ass.... you do have to remove the center console, the AC under the dash if you have it (we removed ALL of the stock AC since it didn't work anyway, and made it easier to put back together).... You also do need to access it from the engine side, for the hoses etc.... It took a friend of mine and myself 8-10 hours to complete, mostly because there was one damn nut on the engine side we apparently missed (under some insulation) that kept us from removing a panel or air duct of some sort.... (this was 5 years ago..? sorry if I'm not 100% accurate) I remember talking to other guys about it and one saying stuck in my head: in the 60's, it seems like GM started with the heater core and built the car around it..!! Just keep track of what goes where, take pictures if you have to, and if you can, get a hold of a service manual.... it will help you with a LOT of various repairs, replacements, etc. on your car..!! Good luck..!!! -Snacks....
p.s.- This will be a good time to replace/rewire anything in your console that may need it.... I replaced both cigarette lighters, all bulbs, AND the plastic lens for the light for the rear seat area.... I can't remember if the '63-'64 had that light as well, but my '65 does.... (most of those lenses are cracked or missing from it being impossible to access without removing the whole damn console) I also ditched the factory heating ducts in the console that were falling apart anyways.... i guess you could make new ones, or fiberglass over the old ones, but my 425 puts out enough heat that I'm fine without.... If I remember anything else I'll post again....
ok, you do have that lens, and here's a link to a new one.... check out other '63-'65 Rivieras and almost every one will have a missing or cracked out lens.... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Buic...r_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item2e9c7b931f
It's all true, flat rate for core R&R was 6+ hours. The one I did had the core repaired & leaked after putting it all back together.
The new heater core "FINALLY" showed up today so I'll be starting on it soon. I have another question though: Can you bypass the "water flow control valve" or do you have to hook up the hoses to it so the water will flow through it and the core? Does anybody have a diagram or pic of how the hoses hook up to the core and the water flow control valve? I'm assuming you have to have the WFCV hooked up for it to work right.
Just take pics and write stuff down before you tear it all apart..! I remember we did bypass it for a while, but that means water is constantly flowing thru, therefore somewhat heating your car.... I now have a manual water flow control valve since we tore out all of the stock AC crap that didn't work, and all of the vacuum lines for the controls in the console.... My fan switch works, but for heat I have to 'turn it on' manually.... make sense..? other than that, I would strongly recommend getting a factory service manual..! you can find copies on ebay or at car parts swap meets.... it's the thickness of a decent size phone book, but it has been a very valuable investment when it comes to tasks like changing the heater core..! good diagrams, pictures etc.... Rock on..!!
THANKS for the help. I forgot to mention the reason I could use a pic or a diagram is because none of the hoses to or from the core ,or the WFCV are in place.
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