[urq] Swapping out the heater core? Thoughts?

[JP Chaplen]

Just wanted to see what experiences people have had swapping it out, as far as I can tell i think its fine, but i have never looked and never dug too deep into the console? I have been looking for some good instructions, but it looks like i have to yank out all the AC cooler/exchange to get to the heater core. I was just thinking since i have most of the coolant out swapping the Thermo stat and switch it might be a good time to do that too? But wondering if its a couple hour job or an all weekend pain the butt job. 



The core its self seems reasonable cheap at about $80 and I have both the replacement hoses already. Though I have to admit I'm not 100% sure i really feel like tearing the whole dash apart. But the core as far as I know has never been replaced - has anyone had any horror stories after the fact, or do they slowly start leaking or ever go bad? 



Since i know people love to give advice and opinions...would love to hear or if there are any tips or concerns on doing this job? Also was wondering, if i do tear it apart, am I going to have 1/2 a gallon or something of anti-freeze pour out when and if I undo the 2 hoses to the core even if the bottom of the radiator switch has been pulled and drained? 


And thanks all for the advice on the thermo switch and stat ( I ended up going with the 80 for the Stat and 75 on the radiator cooling swtich), the reason mine was running hotter i think was i could barely read but it was 92 on and 87 off...which made having an 80 stat kinda worthless.... 



Thanks all in advance! 



JP