C1 & C2 Corvettes General C1 Corvette & C2 Corvette Discussion, Technical Info, Performance Upgrades, Project Builds, Restorations

Heater core old vs new

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 10-18-2017, 06:14 PM
  #1  
eyedocs96
Racer
Thread Starter
 
eyedocs96's Avatar
 
Member Since: Sep 2005
Location: Elk Grove California
Posts: 325
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default Heater core old vs new

I' have my old heater core out of my 65. No known leaks. Should I have it tested and stay with it or but a new one? Who makes the best heater core replacement if I go that direction?
Thanks
Old 10-18-2017, 06:36 PM
  #2  
Bluestripe67
Race Director
Support Corvetteforum!
 
Bluestripe67's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2002
Location: Close to DC
Posts: 14,535
Received 2,126 Likes on 1,465 Posts
C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified 2020

Default

My '67 heater core did not leak. I bought a new one, had it tested then installed it. I don't know the maker and don't remember which vendor I bought from. I kept the old one for no particular reason. Dennis
Old 10-18-2017, 06:48 PM
  #3  
Nowhere Man
Team Owner
 
Nowhere Man's Avatar
 
Member Since: Feb 2003
Location: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
Posts: 48,987
Received 6,929 Likes on 4,774 Posts
2015 C2 of Year Finalist

Default

Find a old radiator shop and have it re-cored
Old 10-18-2017, 06:54 PM
  #4  
4 Speed Dave
Burning Brakes
 
4 Speed Dave's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2010
Location: Southington CT
Posts: 1,195
Received 338 Likes on 193 Posts

Default

When I restored my 66 I pressure tested the original heater core to 30 psi and had no leaks so I installed it back in the car. No issues. I've had new heater cores leak so just because it is new doesn't mean it is good.
Old 10-18-2017, 07:04 PM
  #5  
Bacci
Instructor
 
Bacci's Avatar
 
Member Since: Nov 2013
Location: Columbia, SC
Posts: 132
Received 20 Likes on 12 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by eyedocs96
I' have my old heater core out of my 65. No known leaks. Should I have it tested and stay with it or but a new one? Who makes the best heater core replacement if I go that direction?
Thanks
My 60 core didn't leak. Had it clean and they had to repair some leaks that developed. Inside not cleaned good enough. I took it back and they cleaned it again and it had more leaks.
I would definitely replace it.
Purchased core for my 60 from Central Corvette. It was a little oversize and was a tight fit. Maybe someone else can give you a better supplier based upon their experiences.
Old 10-18-2017, 07:49 PM
  #6  
1snake
Le Mans Master
 
1snake's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2007
Location: Puget Sound
Posts: 8,000
Received 652 Likes on 446 Posts

Default

Pressure testing an old core will only show actual leaks. It won't show corroded thin areas that are about to leak in the near future. Testing a new core confirms that it was built correctly with no cracked solder. I would NEVER use a 40 year old core regardless of how it tested. Either have it re-cored or buy a new one, and have it tested.
Old 10-18-2017, 11:48 PM
  #7  
SDVette
Safety Car
 
SDVette's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2000
Location: Poway CA
Posts: 4,845
Received 1,295 Likes on 560 Posts
2023 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C1 of Year Finalist (stock)
2016 C1 of Year Finalist

Default

I agree with 1snake. 50 years is beyond the service life for these things.
I went with a new heater core last year on my 61.
Old 10-19-2017, 01:14 AM
  #8  
LouieM
Race Director
 
LouieM's Avatar
 
Member Since: Mar 2002
Location: NorCal
Posts: 13,347
Received 3,033 Likes on 1,250 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by SDVette
I agree with 1snake. 50 years is beyond the service life for these things.
Amen.
Old 10-19-2017, 06:57 AM
  #9  
ILBMF
Drifting
 
ILBMF's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,369
Received 139 Likes on 128 Posts
Default

I used a new core from Zip last year and it's been fine.
Old 10-19-2017, 08:43 AM
  #10  
427/42566 coup
Racer
 
427/42566 coup's Avatar
 
Member Since: Oct 2014
Posts: 429
Likes: 0
Received 31 Likes on 30 Posts
Default

Check out company in long island for repair
Old 10-19-2017, 11:42 AM
  #11  
Bill Pilon
Burning Brakes

 
Bill Pilon's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jun 2005
Location: Hinesville, GA & Oswego, NY
Posts: 793
Received 215 Likes on 136 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by Nowhere Man
Find a old radiator shop and have it re-cored
This is the way to go, I re-cored my own over thirty years ago and still going strong.

Bill
Old 10-19-2017, 11:54 AM
  #12  
MikeM
Team Owner
 
MikeM's Avatar
 
Member Since: Mar 2003
Location: Greenville, Indiana
Posts: 26,118
Received 1,843 Likes on 1,398 Posts

Default

Get a new core, have it tested and install it. When you put the hoses on, don't ****** and grab on the hose nipples, it's easy to crack the joint on the heater core end.
The following users liked this post:
eyedocs96 (10-20-2017)
Old 10-20-2017, 04:50 PM
  #13  
426 Hemi
Safety Car
 
426 Hemi's Avatar
 
Member Since: Oct 2001
Location: Coldwater MI
Posts: 3,599
Received 621 Likes on 418 Posts

Default

I just got one from advance online. Good price and is still brass.

Only thing I can see different is there it a small bit more of a bend to the pipes.

That bend has always made getting the box or outer blower housing in difficult. Any tricks on the install?

Last edited by 426 Hemi; 10-20-2017 at 04:50 PM.
Old 10-20-2017, 05:33 PM
  #14  
MikeM
Team Owner
 
MikeM's Avatar
 
Member Since: Mar 2003
Location: Greenville, Indiana
Posts: 26,118
Received 1,843 Likes on 1,398 Posts

Default

If you hadn't put me on your ignore list, you could see a good tip on the previous post.

Old 10-20-2017, 06:25 PM
  #15  
426 Hemi
Safety Car
 
426 Hemi's Avatar
 
Member Since: Oct 2001
Location: Coldwater MI
Posts: 3,599
Received 621 Likes on 418 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by MikeM
If you hadn't put me on your ignore list, you could see a good tip on the previous post.

???????
Old 10-20-2017, 08:24 PM
  #16  
MikeM
Team Owner
 
MikeM's Avatar
 
Member Since: Mar 2003
Location: Greenville, Indiana
Posts: 26,118
Received 1,843 Likes on 1,398 Posts

Default

Too many hemi guys around here. You're the wrong one. the other one is from the west coast.
Old 10-21-2017, 10:43 AM
  #17  
426 Hemi
Safety Car
 
426 Hemi's Avatar
 
Member Since: Oct 2001
Location: Coldwater MI
Posts: 3,599
Received 621 Likes on 418 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by MikeM
Too many hemi guys around here. You're the wrong one. the other one is from the west coast.
I hear you Mike, I get confused about some "like" member names too.

Get notified of new replies

To Heater core old vs new




Quick Reply: Heater core old vs new



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:35 PM.