Heater Core - Variation on a Theme
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Pete,
I had to look that one up. Never heard the expression before.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soup_to_nuts
I had to look that one up. Never heard the expression before.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soup_to_nuts
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
This is my first Corvette: a 1979 L-82. I bought it in 1986 as a theft/wreck victim. Over the years I restored it. As you can see it is still on the road and going strong. I put two heater cores in that one (1992 and 2000) but without A/C it was a through-the-firewall, two-hour job.
And here is the 1979 with my other Corvette (hence my handle and avatar).
Last edited by Paul L; Jul 14, 2008 at 07:33 AM.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Some times you just want to cry when you own these cars. I tried the HTR setting on the console wheel today and no heat at the various vents. The hoses to the core are hot. What controls that heat setting?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,740
Likes: 3
From: Aurora Ontario
Your problem is probably in the connection at the switch. do you hear any hissing when moving from defrost to vent?
Jim
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Note to self: Put on a dunce hat, sit in the corner for 30 minutes, and read the Owner's Manual.
I had the temperature control set to HTR and not HI....Heater works perfectly.
I had the temperature control set to HTR and not HI....Heater works perfectly.
Last edited by Paul L; Jul 15, 2008 at 02:40 PM.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
I am pleased to report that after three weeks the Delco heater core is leak-free. I have had some anxiety attacks along the way, however. After a number of 50-or-so-mile rides the coolant tank would read low. But no leaks anywhere? I topped up each time. This happened several times. Where was the coolant going? Visions of head gasket failure gave me nightmares. But oil was clean?? As was the PCV??
Then I remembered the big B: burp. Or more correctly I did not remember the burp at the time of core installation. Happy now to say that the system has burped itself after a 120-mile ride yesterday. I've run it up to running temps several times since. Coolant tank is now happy as a pig in s***. I've learned a lesson that I should have known and is well documented.
So remember to BURP when doing coolant work.
Then I remembered the big B: burp. Or more correctly I did not remember the burp at the time of core installation. Happy now to say that the system has burped itself after a 120-mile ride yesterday. I've run it up to running temps several times since. Coolant tank is now happy as a pig in s***. I've learned a lesson that I should have known and is well documented.
So remember to BURP when doing coolant work.
Last edited by Paul L; Aug 4, 2008 at 05:21 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,900
Likes: 2
From: Nixa Missouri
I am pleased to report that after three weeks the Delco heater core is leak-free. I have had some anxiety attacks along the way, however. After a number of 50-or-so-mile rides the coolant tank would read low. But no leaks anywhere? I topped up each time. This happened several times. Where was the coolant going? Visions of head gasket failure gave me nightmares. But oil was clean?? As was the PCV??
Then I remembered the big B: burp. Or more correctly I did not remember the burp at the time of core installation. Happy now to say that the system has burped itself after a 120-mile ride yesterday. I've run it up to running temps several times since. Coolant tank is now happy as a pig in s***. I've learned a lesson that I should have known and is well documented.
So remember to BURP when doing coolant work.
Then I remembered the big B: burp. Or more correctly I did not remember the burp at the time of core installation. Happy now to say that the system has burped itself after a 120-mile ride yesterday. I've run it up to running temps several times since. Coolant tank is now happy as a pig in s***. I've learned a lesson that I should have known and is well documented.
So remember to BURP when doing coolant work.
Again thanks for sharing this information, and most of all for me the info for the AC Delco heater core as well.
I received my new Dewitt radiator two weeks ago now I'm wating for the new heater core (AC Delco) then will install all at the same time.
Now it my turn to wear the dunce hat for doing both the rad and core at the same time.
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Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
OK, just reporting back. I like to follow-on with threads to a reasonable conclusion. The summer season is gone and winter approaches. The heater core is just fine. Yesterday morning was ~40*F and I gave it a try. Throws a lot of heat. So the job was worth doing. I will be driving tomorrow morning at about 40*F again with the top down and the heater on. Only ~3 weeks of driving left hereabouts.
Last edited by Paul L; Sep 20, 2008 at 07:33 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,429
Likes: 0
From: Tucson AZ
Thanks for thet info. My core blew out Fri. night, and I have a car show to attend in 3 weeks. I just ordered that AC Delco unit from Amazon.com for $93 with expedited shipping. Not bad, thanks again. Valuable forum knowledge!!!
