phil2302

About 12 years ago the heater core, (non ac car) left a few drips of coolant in the footwell. Not much of a leak but a leak nonetheless. To buy time and to prevent a footwell coolant flood I put a shut off valve on the heater hose intending to fix it later on that year but never got to it.
I want to make the repair this winter.

The reproduction cores are anywhere from $55 to $100
I can also find nos AC Delco cores but they are triple the cost or more.
I can also have the original re-cored also more costly than repro cores.

Are these repros decent or will I be changing the heater core in a few years if I buy one of these asian or mexican products ?
Is it best to just buy the pricey nos AC Delco?
Anyone have any problems with the repros?

Opinions on the best option here would be appreciated.

66jack

Which ever one you end up purchasing...have it checked out/pressure tested before you install...

Nowhere Man

I would have your original re-cored. So you know it will fit

427/42566 coup

outfit in long island repaired heater core for my "62" impala. never leaked, Sorry don't remember name

Donald #31176

When repros were not available I had my original re cored. Still going strong after 25 years.

ohiovet

I believe the repro cores are made in South America .
Buy and test it before installation and if ok go for it.

phil2302

Thanks fellas.
My fear is a repro could initially pressure test fine but maybe fail prematurely.
The $60 repro sounds attractive but it really isnt the cost so much as the idea of having to do it again.
My ability to work in tight spaces is going down hill fast due to R/A
I am leaning toward having the original recored but want to take it out and examine it first. If I dont like what I see I will buy a NOS AC Delco.
If anyone has used a reproduction that failed please chime in.

MikeM

You might find out the only thing wrong with your heat exchanger is a broken solder connection where one of the pipes is crimped to the core.

FWIW, I put a new heater core in my '63 about ten years ago. I replaced the one in it because it was the original core. It came from NAPA and at that time, I think they were made in Mexico. The thing lasted about a year and then it started dribbling in the foot well. A half bottle of Barr's has fixed the problem for me nicely. Minimal expense and trouble.

ILBMF

I bought a repro from Zip, no problems

warrenmj

I bought a repro about 13-14 years ago and it lasted about 2 years. I bought another one and it has been fine for 11-12 years. Pretty much a crapshoot on the repros.

zeeker

I put a Repro in my '65 last year and the outlet pipes were bent just enough different that it took a lot of screwing around to get it to fit "close enough". If I had it to do over, I'd have my old one re-cored.

phil2302

Thank you for the input.
I think I have decided to stay away from the repros.
Did you get any quotes for the re-core?
If it is close in price I may just go with a NOS AC Delco.

Gary D. Jaynes

Look up Cap-A-Radiator they sell USA made heater cores

65 396

X2 with me.