Changing heater core and fan motor

[1984 CJ7]

can you access this all from the engine bay? Also, can I just clamp the heat core hoses instead of draining the fuild?

 

[gr8dain]

In my 84 CJ8 , it is mostly in the cabin. The access to the blower motor bolts was in the engine bay (and the bolts holding the plastic housing). I did not drain all of my coolant. I disconnected the hoses and let them leak into a bucket and clamped them up. I did have to add a little and burp the radiator when done and hooked back up though. Not much came out when disconnected though I heard it should have been about 1/4 of the total.

 

[1984 CJ7]

Ok, thanks for the feedback. So, since I already have the dash half way out, I guess I will just remove it and replace them now. I will do the same, clamp the hoses and just burp the system and add a bit of fluid after it's burped.

 

[gr8dain]

If you have the dash any part out, now is the time. And make sure you upgrade to the Chevy Blazer blower motor. Much more heat.

I did mine without taking the dash off at all. It was manageable, but would definitely been easier to maneuver the parts around without the dash there.

 

[1984 CJ7]

Yes, i was going to do the motor upgrade but I am not sure I want to cut my firewall. I really want to keep it uncut and all original if i can.

 

[gr8dain]

Mine was already swapped, so not a decision for me. I just replaced the chevy one for a new chevy one that worked. I wondered why people complained about the amount of heat. Mine seemed fine. Now I know why. The upgrade was already done.

Good luck with that decision. If your heat seems fine, then don't upgrade. I guess it depends on the winters where you live and if it is a daily driver.

Have fun.

 

[1984 CJ7]

I see! Well, my Jeep is just a toy for me and not a daily driver so i should be ok. The motor is just really loud so i assume it is on its way out. I figured I would just change the core since I will be in there. We don't really get below 40 degrees here in Portland.

 

[gr8dain]

My core was fine as well. Just did it because I was in there. My motor would just squeal super loud. It still worked, but made people in other cars look at me like something was going to explode. Quiet as a mouse now. Except it currently has leaves hitting the blades and it sounds like a bile with cards in the spokes. I need to clean the leaves out. Ugh.

 

[cass]

i changed blower motors and left the heater core alone becasue it wasnt leaking. about a week later it started leaking all over my floor and a that weekend i had to take it all apart again

 

[gr8dain]

Exactly! I don't even want to mess with it to get the leaves out. Hopefully I can get them out another way.