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Heater core sources (for replacement)

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Old Dec 15, 2004 | 04:53 PM
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Default Heater core sources (for replacement)

I've got coolant smell with the heat these days, sigh!

I see Zip's got heater cores - anyone try the autozone ones?

To pressure test them what do you do? Air pressure?
Hot water under pressure?
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Old Dec 15, 2004 | 05:03 PM
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I just got mine a few years ago from the local auto parts store. It was cheaper and has been OK so far.
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Old Dec 15, 2004 | 05:05 PM
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Got mine local also. Been in about 2 years or so and so far, knock on wood, no problems.
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Old Dec 15, 2004 | 07:44 PM
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As far as I can tell, all of the heater replacement cores are copper. Does anyone know if there's an aluminum heater core made? If you've got aluminum cylider heads, an aluminum radiator, and an aluminum water pump, it'd be good to get copper out of the cooling circuit.
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Old Dec 15, 2004 | 08:00 PM
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Originally Posted by 68/70Vette
If you've got aluminum cylider heads, an aluminum radiator, and an aluminum water pump, it'd be good to get copper out of the cooling circuit.
I'm not sure that there is a good reason to do this. Remember that just about everyone that has an aluminum rad will have a copper heater core without any issues that I'm aware of.
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Old Dec 16, 2004 | 09:51 AM
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Mine has been disconnected since I purchased the car. Is there any way to check the core while it's still in the car?
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Old Dec 16, 2004 | 10:07 AM
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I got mine a CarQuest. I am intesrested to see if anyone has had issues with this with aluminum heads, radiator, and water pump. I have all that with no issues so far......
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Old Dec 16, 2004 | 10:10 AM
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Default heater core

Mine's disconnected as well, I'm curious how to find out if it leaks.
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Old Dec 16, 2004 | 10:15 AM
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Most of the time they are disconnected because they have went bad.
This is one item that is a pain in the butt to replace.
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Old Dec 16, 2004 | 10:46 AM
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Originally Posted by CA-Legal-Vette
....... Remember that just about everyone that has an aluminum rad will have a copper heater core without any issues that I'm aware of.
......just note from responses to this item that there appears to be a large number of people who have corroded heater cores.
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Old Dec 16, 2004 | 11:02 AM
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Originally Posted by 68/70Vette
......just note from responses to this item that there appears to be a large number of people who have corroded heater cores.

Lots of people with copper rads and heater cores with corrosion as well.
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Old Dec 16, 2004 | 11:07 AM
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To pressure test, stick in a bucket of water,shake until all bubbles are gone, introduce no more than 15lbs pressure of air in one side and stick your thumb over the other side. No bubbles is good.
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Old Dec 16, 2004 | 11:33 AM
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Originally Posted by FeedVaal
To pressure test, stick in a bucket of water,shake until all bubbles are gone, introduce no more than 15lbs pressure of air in one side and stick your thumb over the other side. No bubbles is good.

I do the samething, but other than a bucket of water, I take a real soapy solution and lather the core up. Add air pressure and if you have a foam party going on , then you have a leak.

Good Luck
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Old Dec 16, 2004 | 12:57 PM
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Thanks for the responses...

The autozone part is about $35 IIRC.

If you are buying a new one, do pressure check it. Some on here haven't
and had to install a heater core twice...

Can any leaks in the heater core box be sealed from the inside if the heater
core is out? Or is it best to redo the seals by removing and replacing the
aged seals?
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Old Dec 16, 2004 | 04:44 PM
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Originally Posted by adam
I've got coolant smell with the heat these days, sigh!

I see Zip's got heater cores - anyone try the autozone ones?

To pressure test them what do you do? Air pressure?
Hot water under pressure?

I bought mine from Autozone...dropped right in. Pressure tested with air for 30 min. at 20psi with no leakdown. If it'll hold air, it'll hold coolant....and air is MUCH easier to work with than hot water!
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