I replaced the heater core, had plenty of issues to get the pipes off etc and had to eventually slightly bend them to get them off etc.
Well, time goes by, flu, back issues, shoulder issues, knee issues etc.
It's been on hold for over a month now and I really want to get this done.

I just cannot get the pipes aligned to go in the core and my shoulder says no to everything needing any strenght/pushing etc.

Managed to wiggle the pipes loose a bit so I could pull them away better and test that they still are round and fit the core when the core is out., yes.
Also have used pliers, force etc so the lower pipe has taken damage, so I will be replacing that now too. I have both of the pipes new already, genuine LR.

There is a bracket holding the pipes on, I need to have that taken off, but seems like the bolts are the wrong way around, coming from the firewall to the cabin, so no way to unsrew them.


Any tips, or will I just "dremel" the bracket/bolts and live without it?
Really have zero interest in taking anything more apart..

 

I didn't have the patience to properly install and remove the heater core pipes. After fighting for a few hours I inevitably bent them past the point of sealing properly.

I ended up cutting them and removing an inch or two of metal from the pipes, just enough to fit some 5/8 heater core hose over them. Eyeball this before cutting as you do have covers to get back on only a small area has enough clearance to clear hose clamps.

I have some cheap small crimpers that have had the tips cut off which make for great beads on aluminum pipes. This is likely overkill...but I like to do things just once.

I add a little contact cement to the o rings before installing and add a little to the pipes were the hoses mate as well for some additional insurance.

the significant other was blowing out header cores every 6-9 months so I unfortunately got good at this. Eventually I found my issue wasn't the used heater cores I was pulling from our parts rovers as eventually blow by from a crack behind a sleeve got so bad it would blow past the coolant cap. But it never leaked from my hose connections!