Challenges:
* Accessibility: The heater core is buried deep within the dash. You'll likely need to remove a significant portion of the dashboard, including the instrument panel, to access it. This involves a lot of disassembly and careful attention to detail during reassembly.
* AC Integration: The AC evaporator core is often located near or even integrated with the heater core. This necessitates careful handling to avoid damaging the AC system during the heater core replacement. You may need to evacuate the refrigerant before starting the job.
* Dash Components: Disconnecting and reconnecting numerous electrical connections, vacuum lines, and other components is crucial and prone to error. Take lots of pictures and make detailed notes throughout the process.
* Seals and Gaskets: The heater core uses seals and gaskets that are likely to be brittle and damaged after 50+ years. Replacing these with high-quality parts is essential to prevent leaks.
* Specialized Tools: You may need specialized tools, such as a dash removal tool set, to avoid damaging the dash during disassembly.
General Steps (Highly Simplified):
1. Disconnect the Battery: This is crucial to prevent electrical shorts and shocks.
2. Evacuate the AC System: If you have AC, you *must* evacuate the refrigerant using proper equipment. Improper handling can damage the environment and the AC system. Take the car to a shop if you're uncomfortable with this.
3. Drain the Cooling System: Drain the coolant completely from the engine.
4. Dash Removal: Carefully remove the necessary sections of the dashboard to access the heater core. This is the most labor-intensive part, involving removing various trim pieces, instruments, and possibly the steering column.
5. Heater Core Removal: Disconnect the heater core hoses and carefully remove the core.
6. Heater Core Installation: Install the new heater core, ensuring proper sealing.
7. Dash Reinstallation: Reassemble the dashboard meticulously, ensuring all electrical connections and vacuum lines are properly reconnected.
8. Re-fill Cooling System: Refill the cooling system with the correct coolant mixture and bleed the air from the system.
9. Recharge AC System (if applicable): If you evacuated the AC system, you'll need to recharge it with the correct amount of refrigerant using an AC charging kit. Professional help is strongly recommended here.
Recommendation:
Unless you have significant experience working on classic cars and are comfortable with complex disassembly and reassembly, I strongly recommend taking your 1972 Corvette to a qualified mechanic specializing in classic cars or Corvettes. This job is far beyond a simple DIY repair for most people. The cost of a professional repair may be significant, but the potential for damage from a botched DIY job is far higher. The cost of fixing your mistakes could easily exceed the cost of professional labor.
