KevinG

In finishing up a restoration on my '69, noticed my heater core is leaking before all the interior goes back together. So I need to replace the heater core. Read that going with a GM/AC Delco heater core is the best route - however I can't find any vendors that sell that brand (did they discontinue parts on our beloved C3?) The brands I have been seeing are Spectra, APDI, & Vista Pro.

Leaning towards APDI since they are based out of TX and beat oem standards. It is $60 for the one without A/C.

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/sk...DI9010136.html

markids77

The best one is the one that's in stock when you need it. If you're comfortable with the APDI then it's the one for you.

qtlow

I went through this myself about a year ago. I found that all the heater cores no matter where you get it from are the same and made over seas except for NAPA's. There's were made in Mexico and of noticeably better quality.
If your leaking core is the original I would talk to a reputable radiator shop about possibly having it rodded and re-soldered. Because none of them will be of the quality or fit as well as your original.

tammi6523

I would say look for a heater core that is made of copper rather than aluminum. Don't know which brands stil ue copper. I am also not a Dexcool fan. The stuff works but I believe that etylene glycol based antifreeze/coolant gives the cooling system more corrosion protection.


Gas Furnace Replacement

rponfick

You are lucky to be catching it now. When everything is apart, it still is not a fun project, but on fully assembled car, you only want to have that experience once.

Ralph

jdp6000

I bought the AC Delco from the dealer a couple of years ago. It was pricey but a perfect fit. You don't want to do this twice.

J

Easy Mike

Do you have a radiator shop near you? They can clean and seal your original core.

ezobens

I just went through this earlier this week.
Bought a new AC Delco heater core from Rock Auto a year ago and discovered that it wasn't even an AC Delco part inside the AC Delco box!
Unfortunately, a year later, I'm stuck with it.

Note to self:
Inspect EVERYTHING upon arrival- This isn't the first time I've gotten used/or wrong parts in the right box from Rock Auto.

Anyway, when I tried to fit it to the housing, the tubes weren't even close to fitting and the one tube had such a bad solder joint that the pipe came out in my hand (no, I wasn't trying to bend it either)!

I took it to my local radiator shop (with the housing) and they were able to set the tubes perfectly, tack the tubes together for better strength and pressure tested the unit. They even mounted it back in the housing for me.
The best $40 I spent!

With as sensitive as these cores are to tube location (A/C cars), I wouldn't put another one of these cores in without having it checked out first by a local shop.
It's not so much the materials used being bad as the method of assembly that stinks with these aftermarket cores.
My core was of good quality, it was the assembly and QC that was lacking.
Had I just installed mine without noticing the bad joint on the tube, I would have been doing this all over again.

jdp6000

And stress that if you have to bend the pipes take it back. The delco I bought was identical to the original.

yyz1970

Just bought one from corvette central
Made in Mexico
Looks the same as the original
reasonable price

AP4EVER

No matter which one you buy, take it to a radiator shop and have it pressure tested. Well worth the peace of mind. Cost me $10 to have mine tested.

68post

All good advice ! Problems such as these are definately all to common, the same problem happened to my good friend. Wrong tube bends, tried to fit it in , broke the tube loose and had to have it reconfigured and repaired/reinforced properly.

American Raven

Ditto for me. The radiator shop's owner told me that the Mexican heater cores were about the best that can be found today.

Who would have ever thought that "made In Mexico" would have ever been equated with "quality" of any kind?

Jud Chapin

IMO, stay away from Autozone and the like as the cores are of poor quality and don't fit.

RU7376vettes

I put new heater cores in my 73 and 76 when I restored the several years ago. Both of them eventually started leaking after installation. The initial ones (which leaked) were purchased from a Corvette supplier. I got replacements for them from a national auto parts chain (Orielly's) and they were made by Murray. I was impressed with their quality, good brass construction, well soldered, much better than what I took out and fit was spot on. The initial ones I installed during the restoration were also brass, but soldering and fit of the tubes was suspect and that is what failed. Replace them when the car is apart as they are not a silly half hour job to replace.
Good Luck,
Unk

drwet

Take it from a guy who's done his twice. Got about 12 years out of the first one before the solder joints let go. I got my replacement through Rock Auto. Piece of s**t. I soldered a brace between the tubes to help strengthen them. I also pressure tested it by connecting a couple of heater hoses to it with a tire valve. Pressurized the core and left it over night. Came back in the morning and it was still holding pressure. At least I know it doesn't leak now. How long its going to last...???

roscobbc

Bought one off Summit Racing for my '68 2 or 3 years ago - it was the cheapest available - I just added to a load of other bits and pieces to keep carriage to UK down in price. Nothing wrong with it - it heats, it does not leak - all I wanted from it

zuendler

7 years later: any news to this topic?
Is the APDI copper core from rockauto recomended, or is the aluminium from Spectra better?
Or where to get a good core otherwise? I don´t want to replace the core again in a few years.

sr'71

3 time vet here .. No replacement cores are silver soldered , your local radiator shop can repair this. After pulling 2 cores , I realized that I could remove the core from the engine side. I don't have A/C, , a few bolts , the firewall comes out with the core attached to it. Bring the new core and firewall to the radiator shop so they can silver solder the tubes exactly where the tubes need to go. ........ Install ......no leaks !!!!

zuendler

I have just ordered both types. Will see wich one is better, that goes in. And the other one will I sell locally.