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Hello, I know this has been talked about before, but until you see it in person you don't realize the difference. I bought a "direct replacement" heater core from Napa. As you can see below, they are not similar in size at all. I'm thinking of returning it and having mine recored, unless someone has a good fix for holding this down so it doesn't rattle itself apart. As it is now, the original straps are useless because the new core is so much smaller. Thanks
I did my 78 a few months back and had an issue with the end were the hoses connect. Had to modifly the housing a little to get it to fit. Otherwise it was similar in size.
I'd take it back and aso take my old unit too. See if Napa has a dimension chart in their parts book. Look at a core from the next year up or back. They may have dicked up the numberd in the book or on the program.
Either the wrong core in the right box or the right core in the wrong box w/ wrong label. That's not acceptable. Close enough is for pitching horseshoes.
If you have a radiator shop within a hundred miles, take your old heater core to them and let them go at it. After all, its a perfect fit, direct placement.
Went through this several years ago with my Pace Car.
Napa's parts book showed the exact heater core I needed, brass and copper. Ordered it and got same aluminum you got. All they had, parts book was pretty much totally out of date.
Ended up getting one from Zip. Had assurances it was correct brass/copper unit before buying it.
Also, If you check ebay, all the ads I saw that SHOWED brass/copper units were in fact aluminum.
And 78 and newer were in fact 1/2" thinner than the earlier ones.
You should. If you did I'd think about getting one.
I don't trust any aftermarket parts too much and would never put a Chinese crap heater core in my car. I just bypassed it and it's been that way for years. Don't miss it at all.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
I got one of the smaller cores, the straps didnt fit but it was tight enough in there that it doesnt rattle, but i have a 68 too which is always a whole other problem.
My A/C'd '73 was leaking (after new carpet installed, of course ) and thought it best to just replace it. Got it, and WHAT A JOKE!
Smaller, light weight, .
Local radiator shop was able to clean & repair the car's original part.
If you've got a Harrison there, keep it! Have it looked at by a repair shop. These are heavy duty enough to most-likely save, thus keeping the car more original AND having no fitment problems.
You should. If you did I'd think about getting one.
I don't trust any aftermarket parts too much and would never put a Chinese crap heater core in my car. I just bypassed it and it's been that way for years. Don't miss it at all.
Same here, i dont miss it since I only drive the car in the summer. Also with the heater core bypassed my cabin doesnt get heated as bad...
Alex, you are right. Without the heated water in it I could tell a difference. I guess that's why GM put the bypass valves in later year C3's. I do drive mine in the winter (all last winter as I used my Vette as my daily driver) and yes it was cold sometimes but I'm fine with that.
Well, I return the heater core to Napa. Interestingly enough, you can’t return it to just any NAPA store. I tried to return it to different store than the one I bought it at and was told no. So now I have to decide what to do. My original heater core is a Harrison. So I might just get that recored. Or, I might just bypassed the whole thing. Thanks for the info so far.
Sounds like two different owners of the stores. I have six NAPA stores within 60 miles of each other. I can purchase / return anywhere. Same owner.
What they did to you is just bad public relations. You should get your money back regardless of your next step.
I hate to see anyone bypass the core permanently, unless its dripping on your brand new carpet. Come Spring, Summer or Fall there will be a day that you have to defog the windshield for your safety and the others on the road. That's where the after-market shut-off valve pictured and discussed in last weeks posts is a Godsend.
In the event you need to defog, just pull over, pop the hood, open the valve. Presto!
You're right. I will probably go that route. I did return the core to the store i bought it from and did get my money back with no questions asked. So, That's good.
11-11-2018, 03:57 PM
How can they call this direct replacement
) and thought it best to just replace it. Got it, and
.
