KapsSA

Is there a preferred place to pick up a heater core?
I looked quick on ebay and prices were $30-$99.
I've heard horror stories about quality so I figured to go with one of the vendors here on the forum.
I did notice Paragon's ad copy says OEM A.C. Delco.

mortgageguy

I got mine from NAPA, fit great. That was in 2008.

74 LS4-454

When I replaced the heater core in the 82, went to the local parts store, and it did not fit correctly. Then purchased one from Zip and it was exact....I would imagine that Paragon & NAPA would also be an exact fit as mentioned.

0Willcox Corvette

Mike-

You can probably got a good deal at your local auto parts store and then if there is a problem they are local and easier to deal with.

What you have to worry about is the core... the new trend is to replace the copper core with a plastic one and they don't seem to fit or work.

1968-1976 cars it has become so bad we have to source them out to a special supplier to avoid the plastic cores and the fitment issues that comes with them.

I'd remove the old one and take it with you to compare.

Willcox

Paul L

OEM AC Delco does not mean "Made in USA" if that is what you are thinking. You have a choice of Mexico or China. I went (three years ago) with Corvette Central #453020 from Mexico. The fit was perfect.

blue427

Do yourself a favor and test it before going through an installation,you don't want to have to do it twice like I did.

Mod75

Which ever core you go with, put it in the cradle, might take so tweaking to get the tubes into the correct position.

Then take that to your local radiator place and have him check it for leaks before reinstalling.

Makes life lots easier, seats out?

adamdinat

Something to consider. Once mine was out I was surprised at the length of the pipes and the amount of movement. I soldered some heavy gauge copper wire across the pipes to stabilize them and reduce the bending moment

KapsSA

Took the pass seat out and the driver bottom cushion to get to the carpeted console panels.
Can't see doing this with the seat in place!
Unbelievable how much needs to come out to get to the core.
Got it in hand to bring to Napa tomorrow to compare.
One question I'll have is the 68-77 cores are one part no., 78-82 core is a different no.
Looking at the product pictures from various vendors and on ebay, my 78 core seems to be an early C3 core. The most noticeable factor being the two tubes have a bit of a weld holding the two tubes together(look at Pauls pic of his old one)and appear to have a sharper bend adjacent to the core.
Probably doesn't matter, but I'd prefer the same as I took out.
Just me being me

Tested it by holding under water in a bucket and introducing air into one pipe while holding my thumb over the other. No problem finding the leak. Probed the bad spot with a screwdriver and the copper fins just crumbled.

edit, just read adamdinat's post, seems what I'm talking about with the earlier cores!

edit, edit. Found out early cores are 2 1/2" thick compared to 2" thick on the 78-82s.

KapsSA

Yikes!
I'm finding it harder to BUY a heater core than it is to replace it!
Like Wilcox said, lotta crap out there!
Went to Napa, ordered it and went to pick it up this morning. Chinese made aluminum.
EVERYBODY shows pictures on their websites of copper, some even state country of origin Mexico(OK by me), but inquire what it's made of and it's always aluminum.


edit. Just ordered from Zip. They verified copper/brass.

Paul L

Makes you wonder why Tom DeWitt does not get into the heater core business.

Mod75

My heater core was from Napa, was brass/copper, last year, Mexican unit, much better than the Chinese units i helped a friend install.

Still both a pain in the A$$

Your old core will get you about $4.50 at your local recycling center.

BFD, i just want it to work and not leak.


Wife says,,,,, we are not doing this again...


She said that 15 years ago i think, she has a thing for ratchets?

Enjoy

1LE

Before you install your new core, check it first. Easy way to do that is fill with water, get a old bike tube cut it in half. attach each end to the heater core and apply air to the tube. Let it sit overnight under pressure to make sure the new core is good.

Boatguy95

Ordered a copper/brass one from Zip.

KapsSA

Mine arrived from Zip today.
Nice quality brass/copper unit, pretty much identical to original.
Pressure tested OK.
Went out to the barn tonight thinking I'd just remount the heater box and maybe the 2 ducts.
As usual, one more thing, one more thing.....
All that's left to do is remount the passenger seat and top off the coolant and run the car and leak check the heater hoses at the core.
I did connect the battery and check electrical items before I buttoned up the console/center gauge panel and carpet/padding.

Get this done and now I'm motivated to replace intake manifold gaskets on my 98 Malibu V6 Been putting that off for over a year.

It's funny, noticed the Vette heater core leak and had it torn down the same day. Malibu? I've been adding coolant for over a year. I think I've been kinda waiting for it to blow up, but since I bought the gasket set a year ago I might as well get it done.