Heater core vital to engine health?

[tonyk72]

I currently have my dash apart, I've been debating as to whether or not I should replace the heater core. I know that it hasn't been replace for at least the past 4 years...and have no idea if its the original in there. What should I do?

 

[Bob Chadwick]

My heater core is 25 years old and hasn't leaked yet so the age is not necessarily the key. I guess for me it would come down to what kind of shape it is in, how much a new one is and what kind of PITA it was to replace.

Bob

 

[GWHITE75]

I know of quite a few C-3 owners with the original core, but mine leaked about 10 years ago, due to the fact that I did not use it at all, old antifreeze in it became acidic and ate through a weld. I suspect a lot of the leaks stem from old anitfreeze setting up in them due to lack of use.

I simply cleaned the unit up, prepped and resoldered it. I believe if you are worried and can afford to, replace it. Otherwise, if you maintiain your fluids properly and use the core during the cold season, I would say it's probably gonna be okay. Oh yeah, don't look me up and cuss me out, when it starts to leak in a couple of months.

 

[jsimpson]

Gwhite, do you know Alana McCall of Sugarland?
As for heater cores, iof you have the dash out, replace it; you're gonna need to sooner or later,and then it will be a REAL PITA!

 

[GWHITE75]

jsimpson No I haven't had the pleasure. I actually live about 5 miles from Sugar Land in development called Greatwood. Does this person own a Vette or just a friend?

 

[Ala75Vette]

Well, I've replaced the heater core on my '75, and, as you'd probably imagine, this is a recurring topic on this forum. Once you know what to do, yes, it is a PITA, but it's a day's work and one well worth it. If you decide you want to do it, I'll try to dig up the links to some of the old threads I used when I did mine. One small comment on this topic -- I've had to replace the heater core on my (gasp) chevy cavalier, and those things are a piece of crap. Mostly plastic, it's no wonder the thing blew up. The replacement I got for my vette was like a little, mini-radiator, all steel & copper. I don't expect to have to replace it ever again (um, thank God).

 

[jsimpson]

Gwhite, Alan has BMW Z8, but no Vette. He's the pastor of a big Presbyterian church. I knew him WAY back!

 

[Nut]

Like Ala75 says, if you have that dash apart..... do it NOW!! It is a royal PITA (at least it was on my '72) Cost me an entire front carpet set when it crapped out. My '81 is in good shape, but I know I'll be doing it eventually. It's much easier with the dash out too.

............ Nut

 

[wicky88s1975]

Ditto on the do it Now if the dash is already apart. When I bought my vette the heater core was totally bypassed. (The car came from Arizona). Came to find it leaked. picked up a rebuild for 65.00 and installed it thank god the dash was already out. If you want/need heat fix it now it's much easier than later. it was a cold ride to CA that night she came home with me.

 

[Larry82]

[QUOTEI actually live about 5 miles from Sugar Land in development called Greatwood. [/QUOTE]

I live 5 miles another direction from Sugarland in Quail Valley. Lived there since 1971. Do not know the pastor either nor seen the Z8. Which Presbyterian church? I am a deacon at Christ Evangelical Presbyterian Church.

 

[tonyk72]

OK, I'll go ahead and do it...
next question
Should I just go for an AC Delco replacement or are there any other brands I should consider?

 

[jsimpson]

Larry, it's a PCA church. I lost touch with him a few years back. Don't know the name. Don't even know if the church is in Sugarland.

 

[tonyk72]

how do I get it out?

I now go the pass. seat out, so I got more room to work. I flipped through the AIM and a Chiltons, no details oh how to get it done. I tried removing what I think is the heater box (what I outlined in yellow) and it doesn't want to seem to come loose. Any tricks to this? BTW, my car has AC, I hear it's different for non AC cars...

 

[JohnZ]

The step-by-step procedure is in the GM Shop Manual.

 

[tonyk72]

Looks like I'm off to get the manual...I also have the 1972 Chevy Service Manual, just flipped through that and nada! Thanks John...

 

[Chas]

Re: how do I get it out?

I now go the pass. seat out, so I got more room to work. I flipped through the AIM and a Chiltons, no details oh how to get it done. I tried removing what I think is the heater box (what I outlined in yellow) and it doesn't want to seem to come loose. Any tricks to this? BTW, my car has AC, I hear it's different for non AC cars...

been here recently pal......the vacuum line to the right needs to come off......there are 2 screws that are hard to see but they are under the plastic that the heater flows from......keep removing screws and put them in a bag and label it....and like your doing take pics for refrence. there is a cable that attaches to the arm on top of the box......comes off also......im thinking the problem you have is the bolts are in the engine compartment that let it drop into the car.there is a door that controls the heat direction.....this was a main source for a rattle in mine....i used a couple of rubber "O" rings to help take up the slack....no rattles and the heater works real good. by the way.... i got my new core at murrays auto parts for $29.....and i have a/c.......best price by about $30 over books and other stores.good luck....let me know.chas

 

[tonyk72]

What brand should I go with? Are there any I should stay away from? I was looking to get an AC Delco. Today, I went to an AC Delco parts supplier in my area. They told me that AC Delco never made the cores, they were actually made by Harrison (for AC Delco). They also said that they would be unable to get this part. All the so called "correct" cores in various parts catalogs appear to be AC Delcos.
Are the repros just as good? There seems to be about a $30 price defference between trhe Delcos and repros. I'd rather pay the $$$ up front and not have to worry about it.
Also, should I be replacing anything else while I'm at this? Hoses, gaskets, etc?

Thanks

 

[Ala75Vette]

tonyk72-

Make sure to check out this thread before you go much further:
http://corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=15875&highlight=heater+core
There's lots -- and I mean lots -- of good info in there. The single biggest 'trick' you'll find to removing the blasted thing (the heater box, that is) is removing the nut from the top-left stud which juts through the firewall to under the hood (in the pic you posted, it's the 'screw' on the top-left). Best of luck!

 

[Chas]

What brand should I go with? Are there any I should stay away from? I was looking to get an AC Delco. Today, I went to an AC Delco parts supplier in my area. They told me that AC Delco never made the cores, they were actually made by Harrison (for AC Delco). They also said that they would be unable to get this part. All the so called "correct" cores in various parts catalogs appear to be AC Delcos.
Are the repros just as good? There seems to be about a $30 price defference between trhe Delcos and repros. I'd rather pay the $$$ up front and not have to worry about it.
Also, should I be replacing anything else while I'm at this? Hoses, gaskets, etc?

Thanks

mine isnt a name brand that i know of....didnt see a brand name come to think of it.....just take your time....you will need to attach the hoses to the core assy before you put it back in the car...good luck