Suggestions to clean up heater core duct

[Harris B.]

Sorry, forgot to "upload" the pictures. They should now be attached.

Hello everyone, my 1982 with 20,500 miles suffered the dreaded anti-freeze leak in the passenger foot well. Of course, it was a nightmare to remove the heater core (but I found some detailed, easy to follow steps on that other discussion board). With the heater core removed and taken out of the duct, I took it to my local, well respected radiator shop to see if it could be repaired. The radiator shop advised that they could not repair the core but they could remove the tanks off of the original core and fasten them to the new heater core. So that I could have the correct pipe configuration and preserve the "Harrison" logo as well as the date code (according to the NCRS birthday book, my Corvette was built on the last day of June 1982 and my date code is "82F" which I believe translates to June 1982 - see picture attached), I decided to accept their recommended repair.

While the core is at the radiator shop, I need to clean off all of the old sealant and other stuff that has accumulated on the core. See picture attached. Does anyone have a suggestion of the best way to remove this? I have heard of using Go Jo hand cleaner, acetone, mineral spirits, lacquer thinner, and good old soap and water. I think some of this will have to be removed using a solvent but I would like to hear of your suggestions.

Also, I have to clean the carpet. Since I already had most of the interior removed to take out the heater core, I went ahead and removed the passenger side carpet. Searching through posts on this discussion board, I have found several suggestions for the best way to remove clean out the anti freeze from the carpet. I also discovered some good suggestions on You Tube. However, if anyone cares to offer any suggestions on the best way to clean the antifreeze out of my carpet (while preserving the original carpet) I would love to hear then.

Now for the last question. There is a cavity adjacent to the right rear seat leg of the passenger seat. I have no idea why that cavity is there. When I was pushing myself up to get out of the car my hand pushed against the carpet covering the cavity and, of course, I tore the carpet. No big deal since it is covered by the seat but I would still like to repair the tear. Any suggestions to repair the carpet (perhaps some sort of tape underneath with good glue holding the tape to the torn carpet?).

[Bob R.]

Re: Suggestions to clean up heater core duct

I would start with the weakest cleaner first mineral spirits. It won't damage anything and should remove the old adhesive.
Professional carpet installers when seaming two pieces of carpet together use a tape which has plastic on the surface attached to a paper backing. It comes in rolls. They heat it with an iron and the plastic melts holding/bonding the two pieces of material together as one. You can probably find a video on YouTube showing someone doing it. It should work for your application but don't ruin your wife's iron or you'll never hear the end of it.