How long will it take to replace a heater core in a 97 monte carlo and what is the secret?

Here's a link to a great description with steps.

Hope this helps.

https://montecarloforum.com/forum/monte-carlo-repair-help-8/how-replace-heater-core-6th-gen-monte-33776/

book time to replace the heater core.

2.5 hours add .8 th's if car has a console add .2 th's if you replace the heater hoses at the same time.

check the coolant. then outside under the hood near where the 2 hoses go into the heater core there is a heater coolant control valve. make sure the vac line is connected and not broke. feel the hoses there at the heater core after it warms up. are they hot? if not the valve isnt opening and letting coolant into the core

behind the glove box maby this will help!
Inspect/Replace If it is necessary to remove the heater assembly, the cooling system must be drained before removing the heater core.
When a heater core leaks, a new heater core is installed or the old one repaired.
Heater Housing

• The heater housing is usually under the dash and must be removed to gain access to the heater core.
• Procedures for replacing the heater core vary with the year, make, and model of car. It threfore necessary to consult the manufacturer's repair manuals for the proper procedure for replacement.

The heater housing is disassembled to get to the heater core.
Heater Core

• Remove the access panels(s) or the split heater/air conditioning case to gain acess to the heater core.
• Remove the heater coolant hoses.
• Remove the cable and/or vacuum control lines (if equipped).
• Remove the heater core securing brackets and/or clamps.
• Lift the core from the case. Do not use force. Take care not to damage the fins of the heater core when removing.
• To reinstall the heater core, reverse the removal steps.

When the heater core leaks and must be repaired or replaced, it is a very difficult and time-consuming job primarily because of the core's location deep within the firewall of the car. For this reason always leak test a replacement heater core before installation.

Sure, just leave the heater out of the loop, find the 2 hoses and you can buy a connector at the parts store to connect the 2 hoses together.

Usually they won't cross each other. Just run them to the heater core so they don't cross each other.

REMOVAL PROCEDURE 1. Remove the fuel injector sight shield. 2. Drain the cooling system. Refer to Draining and Filling Cooling System in Cooling System. 3. Use J 38185 in order to position aside the heater hose inlet and outlet clamps at the heater core. 4. Disconnect the inlet and outlet heater hose from the heater core. 5. Remove the RH Instrument Panel Closeout/Insulator panel. 6. Remove the LH Instrument Panel Closeout/Insulator panel 7. Remove the floor carpet. 8. Remove the rear floor air outlet duct from the holes in the floor reinforcement. 9. Disconnect the rear floor air outlet duct from the heater air outlet cover. 10. Remove the rear floor air outlet duct. 11. Remove the heater air outlet cover screws (2). 12. Remove the heater air outlet cover heat stakes (1) with a small chisel. 13. Remove the heater air outlet cover from the HVAC module assembly. 14. Remove the heater core cover screws (2). 15. Remove the heater core cover heat stakes (1) with a small chisel. 16. Remove the heater core cover from the HVAC module assembly. 17. Remove the heater core from the HVAC module assembly. 18. Remove the heater core foam seal (1) from the HVAC module assembly

no- to make it easier to work on heater core remove glove box takes a couple of minutes

sounds like a heater core "antifreese" leak

Yes, just attach the two heater hoses together that go into the dash to heater core.