I will be replacing my heater core soon and have seen a wide disparity in price (almost $50) between cores. Is there any quality difference between these? Are the mfr to avoid? The gasket set seems a liitle much as well. I would hate to buy a $40, 21 peice set and use only a couple of peices Can these be purchased separately

What has been your experience on core quality and how many gaskets you really use?

 

I think you can still cores from GM, I have heard that this is the way to go since some generic cores from parts houses are sort of generic and don't always fit exactly as they should. I got my core from Zip Products, through the Corvette Mall and it is an exact duplicate of the old core.
As far as the seals go, I was a little dissapointed in them, they were just stamped out of regular old foam rubber, but the originals were apparently just regular old foam rubber. You could try getting some scrap packing foam and cutting your own. I would also go over every sealed area with aluminum tape (not duct tape) and there are some places where RTV looks like it would be a good idea,

 

Sir:

All the original “Harrison” embossed C1, C2 and C3 heater cores for both standard and air conditioning are discontinued. No matter where you shop today, every heater core for the 1953-1982 Corvette models will be a replacement. As with most items, whether they be heater cores or heater seals or even leather shoes – quality varies. As my old bud Al Knoch say “You can buy the oats before or after the horse eats them.”

Geoffrey Coenen
NCRS #2473
NCM Lifetime #105
Precision Valley Corvette Museum Charter Member #20 (I think)
Retired #1 56, 63, 67, 68, 68, 69, 75, 99 and I want more! :D
Wanted: 1969 L-89 conv (no project)

 

I found the same as you when I was looking for my replacement core in price. I ended up going with the advance auto core and had it pressure tested before I installed it. The unit was and exact replacement and had no issues with fit, visually it looked exactly the same. I also had the Dr Rebuild gasket kit when I installed mine, it has everything you need to do the job just like factory and really makes the job easy, I would recommend it. :yesnod:
There are some pictures of the replacement at the bottom of this page www.angelfire.com/al/swhite7/interior.html

YBNormal...drive a vette

 

When I did mine a while back, there were three choices. The Delco was around $100, Modine was $75, and the cheap generic was $50. I went with the Modine since I've had good luck with their rdiators. but had nothing but problems with the heater core. The inlet/outlet tubes were bent too far causing an interferance with the heater box. I tried to carefully bend them out enough to get the hoses on and ended up breaking the solder causing a leak. I sent it back and got the Delco. The Delco core fit as well as the original.

 

Tom - But no hard feelings over that first one, right? :D

 

Just bought one at AutoZone for $34 out the door. Appears in every way to be on par with the original Harrison that I replaced. Just as sturdy, same number of tubes etc. It was an exact replacement with respect to fit.

 

Whichever one you choose, I would pressure check it before installing to be sure you don't have any leaks.
Gary

 

Are there any procedures for pressure testing at home or is this a job for the radiator shop?

 

Also, I would visually inspect the solder joints to the tubes.
As noted above, they usually can't take much abuse - and a poorly
soldered joint only makes that scenario more likely.

You could use compressed air - regulated to 20-25 psi to pressurize the
core and put it into a big bucket of water to check for air bubbles.
I wouldn't go much more than 25psi - as the cooling system runs around 15psi.

:seeya


[Modified by NHvette, 12:50 PM 10/24/2003]

 

The Ecklers unit came in an AC Delco box but wouldn’t fit into my heater box either. Pipes wouldn’t fit through sheet metal bracket. Ecklers did honor a refund over six months after purchase though.
I finally just dragged my heater box down to the local Car Quest parts store and found one to fit for about $40. Sorry can’t remember brand though.