Mine is original. 34 years. Still no leaks.
Heater Core Construction
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,632
Likes: 112
From: Great Plains Iowa
Heater Core Construction
My 5 year old AC Delco heater core sprung a leak in the center so I decided to saw it in half so I could see how it was made. These C3 cores have fourteen 2" wide tubes running from one end to the other right down the middle rather than the typical 1/2" wide tubes found in a radiator.
I ordered an aluminum Specter heater core from Summit Racing just to try it out and see how long it lasts. Naturally it was back ordered so my interior will be torn apart for another 2 weeks or more.
I ordered an aluminum Specter heater core from Summit Racing just to try it out and see how long it lasts. Naturally it was back ordered so my interior will be torn apart for another 2 weeks or more.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
Likes: 439
From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
My 5 year old AC Delco heater core sprung a leak in the center so I decided to saw it in half so I could see how it was made. These C3 cores have fourteen 2" wide tubes running from one end to the other right down the middle rather than the typical 1/2" wide tubes found in a radiator.
I ordered an aluminum Specter heater core from Summit Racing just to try it out and see how long it lasts. Naturally it was back ordered so my interior will be torn apart for another 2 weeks or more.
I ordered an aluminum Specter heater core from Summit Racing just to try it out and see how long it lasts. Naturally it was back ordered so my interior will be torn apart for another 2 weeks or more.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,837
Likes: 1,028
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,632
Likes: 112
From: Great Plains Iowa
I pulled it out because the 5/8" inlet tubing broke loose because of a bad solder job. I re-soldered the tubes then pressure tested it and found it was also leaking where the ends of the internal tubing was crimped and soldered. So it was a mechanical failure rather than a pitting failure. And yes I am using distilled water and antifreeze.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
Likes: 439
From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
I pulled it out because the 5/8" inlet tubing broke loose because of a bad solder job. I re-soldered the tubes then pressure tested it and found it was also leaking where the ends of the internal tubing was crimped and soldered. So it was a mechanical failure rather than a pitting failure. And yes I am using distilled water and antifreeze.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,222
Likes: 93
From: shelbyville West Michigan
I've seen lots of new heater cores over the years on various cars leak at the solder joints on the inlet/outlet tubes. some are so fragile you can't put the hose on w/o breaking them...I'm surprised, well not really, but would have expected OEM to be better quality than that...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 904
Likes: 46
From: Crestline CA
FWIW, I've had the best luck with NAPA heater cores over the years with various old cars. They tend to be a bit more expensive but last alot longer. That being said, I haven't bough one for over 5 years so who knows if they're still good.
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