I'll be starting on the heater core replacement on my '80 245 DL tomorrow, and I'd appreciate any last minute tips any one can give me.

Any special tools I might end up needing? I'm hoping to have everything on hand before I start the project, as a lot of places where I'd get things will be closed this week.

I've done the heater fan before, so I'm some what familiar with the process. I'm just hoping that the weather isn't too bad this week.

Thanks as always.

By the way, I'll be taking a whole bunch of pictures along the way. Maybe they will be helpful for someone else. If anyone in Portland, OR wants to see the process being done in person (and wouldn't mind lending a hand perhaps,) you are welcome to swing by. Shoot me an email.

Definitely pull out the dash and console (see Dave Shannon's pages for pics and instructions). Greatly improves access, but make note of where all the screws go for the metal framing.

When reinstalling the core into the HVAC box use that 1cm X 1cm, black, fairly dense, weatherstripping foam tape (eg: Home Depot) to seal the core to the box. All around the edges and especially at the top where the coolant pipes enter. Also seal the ducts as you reassemble them - esp. the defroster diffuser ducts to the dash. This will make the heater and defroster much more effective. Test the blower motor and impeller setup with wires from the battery before you bury it back in there.
--
Bob (son's 81-244GL B21F/M46, dtr's 83-244DL B23F/M46, my 94-944 B230FD; hobbycar 77 MGB, and a few old motorcycles)

I just did it this past weekend - 2nd time for me. Still took forever. Masking tape to label the electrical connectors is a good idea. Some kind of labeling and binning system will help you get all the correct screws back where they belong. Mostly I followed Bentley, but I had Haynes which has a good blowup of the whole heater box. I assembled the heater valve and the hoses to the box while I had it out of the car and this helped as access is easier with the box removed. When you put the box back in the car make sure you situate/route the wires before you bolt it in. I took out the dashboard and all the bracing and console except for the bracket that holds the steering wheel. I don't know what else to say. Don't rush - just resign yourself to it taking forever. I hope that helps.

Tom
-86 245DL 247k