1997 dashboard removal (heatercore replacement)

[wiynwiyn]

I have a leak on my heatercore. Could not find much information on the web on the 97 to remove the dashboard and heater core so I’m creating this post to show my process. Hope to help those who may have to replace the heatercore. I followed the repair manual. Note you do not need to remove the steering wheel. It’s fairly simple to remove the dashboard comparing to the 90-95 80s. Cheers

 

[Malleus]

Pictures are always good.

 

[wiynwiyn]

These trim removal tools were useful. Don’t use flathead you could damage the fragile plastic pieces. Tips. Take photos of the screws, bolts, pieces to be removed, and ziplock then label. Here are more photos.

 

[wiynwiyn]

And more photos

 

[wiynwiyn]

Dashboard out. I should have drop the steering wheel and then remove the dash. Be easier.

 

[robnicko]

This is the one job i hope i never have to do but thanks for posting the pics you have done so far
I did this once on my Mazda RX4 years ago and it was a pain but didnt have to remove the dash, just contorted myself under it to do so

 

[wiynwiyn]

See attached repair manual on dashboard removal Procedures. As you can see not many bolts and screws holding the dashboard. Surprised to see the surface rusts. I’m going to clean, sand, prime paint the rust areas.

 

[wiynwiyn]

This is the one job i hope i never have to do but thanks for posting the pics you have done so far
I did this once on my Mazda RX4 years ago and it was a pain but didnt have to remove the dash, just contorted myself under it to do so

photos are always helpful. I had to remove my dash on my FC rx7 turbo years back. This video is great for the earlier 80s. Way more complex than the 96-97 LC.

 

[wiynwiyn]

I was wiggling these stubborn hoses. Very stuck. Gave up so I cut it figuring it’s an old car must as well replace them, preventive maintenance.

 

[wiynwiyn]

More photos

 

[wiynwiyn]

Removed tbe blower first, then the center ac piece and the heater core.

 

[wiynwiyn]

Cleaned the surface rusts and paint the rusty areas

 

[Broski]

Nice work.
I too hope I never have to do that.

 

[wiynwiyn]

Priming and painting. Sure looks like a snipper riffle.

 

[Irish Reiver]

I did the dash pad replacement on a 96 I owned a few years back and still have nightmares about it. Just picked up a '95 that needs a new dash pad so PTSD time. I appreciate your approach and hopefully the next job is easier due to experience.

 

[wiynwiyn]

I did the dash pad replacement on a 96 I owned a few years back and still have nightmares about it. Just picked up a '95 that needs a new dash pad so PTSD time. I appreciate your approach and hopefully the next job is easier due to experience.

I watched the video on the first gen 80s that gave me a nightmare. The 97 isn’t bad at all. It was pretty easy. The ls swap was way more challenging.