As a new member of this site, I have learned a great deal about my Raider. You GuyÆs/Gal/s are great. I am rebuilding the engine at the present time and thought it would be a great time to replace the heater core as I think it leaks, the hoseÆs were removed when I purchased it. After reading the book with great disbelief, I thought of You All.
Have anyone of you gone though this and is there any short cuts.
Thanks
Michael j

There are short-cuts but, I've seen more problems with them then just doing it right. Just pull the dash, it is really easy.
If you can rebuild a motor, then pulling the dash is an hour job.
Its easy.
Kary

It can be done with medium difficulty without pulling the dash. You have to chop one of the tubes (in/out - I dont remember) that goes through the firewall. You can cut it 1-2" above the core. Then you run a 2' piece of soft hose all the way to the intake manifold. i recommend using a dremel for cutting the tube. Also, if you're skilled with a torch and some solder you can repair your core yourself. I've had mine in and out a few times and the last time I had it out I repaired it myself. I heated it up and pulled all the pieces apart individually, cleaned them and soldered them back together. Amazingly, it worked great and I saved some money. I would suggest chopping the tube if you have any doubt about the core. It would suck to pull the dash apart, replace the core, put the dash together and find out the core still leaks.

dan

BTW - the core pulls out to the left. Just barely clears the steering column. The more tube you leave on the core the more difficult it will be to pass the steering column. But dont cut off too much tube or you wont have enough strait part to clamp your hose onto.

On Gen1 vehicles, the 1987 FSM Vol. 2 shows a short length of rubber heater hoses inside the cab under the dash. This joint hose is attached between the heater water valve and the heater core. I have not had to make this repair myself, but it is the reason I carry a hose to bypass the heater assembly. It might be a good first place to check for leakage.

Checked the 89 FSM Vol. 1. The water valve/heater core configuration is the same as the 87 mentioned above.

I cut my blocking tube to get mine out, and used another hose splice on reinstall. I had to make up copper tube out of .5" copper pipe and elbows, because my firewall end of the tube was crushed in an earlier engine reinstall, and broke on straighten attempt. No leaks for several years now. Stock joint hose is a very common leak source, as is the heater water valve.