Just wondering if i have to remove the glove box to gain access to the heater core,looks like there is a cover below glove box

Heater hoses are clamped on the heater core.. To gain access you might have to remove the dashboard if you do not have access through the glove box area. Screw driver will loosen the clamp for hose removal.

Nasty job.

WOW, sorry it has taken so long for someone to see and respond to your question. You've probably figured it out on your own by now, but if not, here is your answer. The heater core in your Caprice is located behind the glove box. To gain access, you have to remove the lower right dash insulator panel (below the glove box) and than the glove box. Remove any vaccuum lines ( mark their locations.) Then remove the lower instrument panel brace and then the heater core cover. Remove the heater core clamp bolt and clamp. Disconnect the heater hoses from the heater core on the left hand side of the engine compartment( looking at the engine from the front of the car.) Then remove the heater core.

Hi there,

Remove heater/evaporator case. Remove vacuum source line from heater core tube seal. Remove seal from heater core tubes.
Remove heater core access cover screws. Remove access cover and seal from heater/evaporator case. Lift heater core and case seals out of heater/evaporator case.
Installation
If installing new heater core, transfer case seals to new core. Install heater core and seals into heater/evaporator case. Install heater core access cover on case. Install seal on heater core tubes. To complete installation, reverse removal procedure. Evacuate and charge A/C system. Refill cooling system.

HEATER/EVAPORATOR CASE
Removal

• Disconnect negative battery cable. Drain coolant from radiator. Gently pull instrument panel away from right side of dash panel.
• Discharge A/C system using approved refrigerant recovery/recycling equipment. Disconnect heater hoses from heater core. Plug heater core tubes or drain coolant by blowing coolant from heater core using low pressure compressed air. Disconnect vacuum supply hose from inside engine compartment.
• Disconnect A/C lines from evaporator core. Plug A/C lines and evaporator core tubes. Remove instrument panel assembly brace to evaporator case bracket screw. Remove assembly brace.
• Remove floor register and rear floor duct from bottom of heater/evaporator case. Remove nuts securing heater/evaporator case to firewall. Remove 2 screws securing support brackets to cowl top panel. Carefully pull heater/evaporator case away from firewall. Remove heater/evaporator case.
• To install, reverse removal procedure. Evacuate and charge A/C system. Refill cooling system.

INSTRUMENT PANEL
Removal & Installation

• Position front wheels in straight-ahead position. Disable air bag system. See AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM article in ACCESSORIES/SAFETY EQUIPMENT section. Disconnect negative battery cable. Remove steering column trim shrouds.
• Disconnect all electrical connections from steering column switches. Remove cover from under steering column. Remove 4 bolts and reinforcement from under steering column. Disconnect parking brake release control motor from parking brake and ignition switch connector.
• Disengage insulator retainer. Remove insulator. Remove 4 nuts and reinforcement below steering column. Remove 4 nuts securing steering column to instrument panel and lower column to front seat. Disconnect PRNDL cable (A/T models).
• Ensure ignition switch is locked to prevent steering column from turning. Remove 4 instrument cluster retaining screws. Disconnect speed control cable and vehicle speed sensor (if equipped). Disconnect electrical connectors and remove instrument cluster. At steering column opening, remove one bolt securing instrument panel to brace. Remove one instrument panel brace bolt (below radio area).
• Remove sound insulator under glove box by removing 2 push nuts securing insulator to studs on climate control case. Remove glove box door and compartment. Remove air cleaner housing, battery and battery tray. Disconnect wires of main wire loom in engine compartment. Disengage rubber grommet from firewall. Feed wiring into passenger compartment through hole in firewall.
• Remove right and left kick panels. Disconnect wires from instrument panel at right and left kick panel sides. Remove screws on left and right sides of instrument panel.
• Pull up to unsnap right and left speaker opening covers. Remove speaker covers. Working through steering column and glove box openings, reach under instrument panel and disconnect electrical connectors, vacuum hoses, A/C-heater control panel cables, and radio antenna cable.
• Support instrument panel. Remove 3 screws attaching top of instrument panel to cowl top. Disconnect remaining wires. Remove instrument panel. To install instrument panel, reverse removal procedure.

Hope this helps...

behind glove box!
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.

Heater Core REMOVAL & INSTALLATION Fig. 1: Heater core removal for 1987-88 models
Fig. 2: Heater core removal - 1988-96 models
Without Air Conditioning

1. Drain the cooling system to a level below the heater core. CAUTION
   When draining the coolant, keep in mind that cats and dogs are attracted by ethylene glycol antifreeze, and are quite likely to drink any that is left in an uncovered container or in puddles on the ground. This will prove fatal in sufficient quantity. Always drain the coolant into a sealable container. Coolant should be reused unless it is contaminated or several years old.
   
2. Disconnect the coolant hoses at the heater core tubes.
3. From inside the passenger's compartment, remove the 7 screws that secure the heater core access cover to the plenum chamber. Remove the cover. On some models, it might be easier to first remove the glove compartment.
4. Remove the heater core.
5. Installation is the reverse of removal. Replace any damaged sealer.

With Air Conditioning Fig. 3: Disconnect the heater hoses at the firewall
Fig. 4: Remove the glovebox
Fig. 5: Remove the heater core access cover from the plenum chamber
Fig. 6: Remove the heater core from the vehicle

1. Drain the cooling system to a level below the heater core. CAUTION
   When draining the coolant, keep in mind that cats and dogs are attracted by ethylene glycol antifreeze, and are quite likely to drink any that is left in an uncovered container or in puddles on the ground. This will prove fatal in sufficient quantity. Always drain the coolant into a sealable container. Coolant should be reused unless it is contaminated or several years old.
   
2. Disconnect the coolant hoses at the heater core tubes.
3. Remove the glove compartment.
4. Disconnect the temperature and function cables.
5. From inside the passenger's compartment, remove the 7 screws that secure the heater core access cover to the plenum chamber. Remove the cover.
6. Remove the heater core.
7. Installation is the reverse of removal. Replace any damaged sealer.

Section 12-03A: Air Conditioning System—Manual A/C-Heater 1996 Thunderbird, Cougar Workshop Manual REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION Heater Core Removal

1. Partially drain the cooling system.
   

1. Remove the tube gasket from the heater core tubes.
   

1. Remove four heater core access cover retaining screws, and remove the access cover from the A/C evaporator housing (19850).
   

1. Remove A/C electronic door actuator.
   

1. Slide heater core (18476) and seals from the A/C evaporator housing (19850).
   

Installation

1. Install the heater core (18476) in the A/C evaporator housing (19850) with the tube gasket on the outside of the case.
   

1. Install the A/C electronic door actuator as described.
   

1. Position the heater core cover on the A/C evaporator housing (19850). Install the four retaining screws.
   

1. Refill the cooling system.
   
   
   Heater Core
   
   
   
   
   
   Item Part Number Description 1 18596 Heater Core Tube Gasket 2 18476 Heater Core 3 18B300 Heater Core Cover 4 390747-S2 Screw (4 Req'd) 5 18N267 Heater Core Cover Seal

It's a big job. The heater core is accessed from inside the car under the dash. If your car has a center console, it must be removed, along with the glove box and the under dash covers. Then you'll see the actual heater box. Removing the box will show you the core, but you'll need to go under the hood to disconnect the heater hoses before you can remove it. Obviously, you need to drain the cooling system first.
Also note, when you replace the core and put the heater box back in, the box has to be sealed for proper operation. In some cases, either RTV sealant can be used, or foam tape.

we call this a heater core, and here is how it is replaced. No need to drain the cooling system, just undo the heater core hoses at the firewall under the hood then pull glove box inset, undo bolts for access cover that is over heater core behind the glove box insert, remove cover, remove old core, put new core in, reinstall cover, reinstall glove box, done. I did these in 45 minutes at the Ford dealer I worked at.

DRAIN A GALLON OF COOLANT, DICONNECT BOTH HEATER HOSES AT FIREWALL, REMOVE GLOVE BOX TO GAIN ACCESSTO PLASTIC COVER ON HEATER HOUSING, REMOVE 4 SCREWS AND 2 STEEL BRACKETS RETAINING HEATER CORE. IT,S TIGHT DOWN THERE, HAVE FUN

That's because it is!
Once you have the heater box assembly out of the vehicle, you will be able to split the two halves apart by removing the screws, to gain access to where the heater core is located. If you have A/C, it will be a major PITA. Good Luck!