Yes, the air handling side of a heat only system is easier to drop for a heater core replacement - than is the air handling side of an A/C equipped application.
This is mostly because, with an A/C system, there is far more ductwork that must be disconnected from the main body of the plenum (also all the vacuum hoses to the control dampers have to be disconnected).
The only real ductwork that connects to a
heat-only plenum is the "whale-tail" - the piece that supplies the defroster vents from the defroster damper outlet. The floor diffuser doesn't even always have to come off. Even if it does have to be removed, it is only attached with one screw. The controls are just the two (temp and mode) cables.
Here is the procedure for heater core replacement on a 1983 C/K with heat-only:
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Here is what needs to be done in the engine compartment:
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And the disconnects to be made on the inside:
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A hint on removing the little "Jesus Clips" that hold the ends of the control cable on to the actuating arms (this is from a previous post - they were talking about the plastic posts on the HVAC control assembly but the answer applies to the steel posts on the arms as well):
and there are 2 of those spring steel stamped washer things that you push on and thy hold but are a bitch to remove. Most of the time the studs break on me
Early on (after snapping off a few posts - and losing dozens of the Jesus clips), I figured there must be a better method of removing them than just trying to pry them off.
There is ( a better method). Screw them off - like they were little round nuts.
Insert the tip of a small screwdriver under one side of the Jesus clip (and create a light force in the upward direction). That tilts the clip. While maintaining that pressure and tilt, rotate the clip. Generally you can use your fingertips.
The sharp inner edges of the clip will start to cut tiny threads on the post as it rotates and it will begin to climb. Usually you only have to get it started and then you can remove the screwdriver. Keep turning the clip and it will thread right off.
My wife says I need to get a job.
