ya wanna pull it all apart again in a few days?
Begginning Fastguy Method - Heater Core
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 190
From: Custer, WI
Upon installing the new core, i found that I had to bend some of the pipes...when i bent the top one, the seal cracked where the core meets the pipes. crap.
can i use something to reseal it like JB WELD?
can i use something to reseal it like JB WELD?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,736
Likes: 0
From: WAY UPSTATE NY
Pro
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 744
Likes: 13
From: Lenoir City TN
The parts are usually soldered at the factory. I've only seen pictures of a core, thankfully I've not had to replace mine yet, but they look like they are all metal. If that's the case a radiator shop might be able to fix it for you. If they try have them pressure test it before you take it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 2,240
Likes: 42
From: Baltimore, MD USA
I ran across the same problem where one of the tubes was positioned wrong so it wouldn't go thru the firewall.
I used a propane torch like the plumbers use and carefully heated the joint at the core and moved the the tube to the proper position. Didn't need any extra solder.
Since your tube has broken loose from the core you could try reheating the solder joint and use an acid core solder if needed.
I used a propane torch like the plumbers use and carefully heated the joint at the core and moved the the tube to the proper position. Didn't need any extra solder.
Since your tube has broken loose from the core you could try reheating the solder joint and use an acid core solder if needed.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,403
Likes: 3
From: Columbia Maryland
I ran across the same problem where one of the tubes was positioned wrong so it wouldn't go thru the firewall.
I used a propane torch like the plumbers use and carefully heated the joint at the core and moved the the tube to the proper position. Didn't need any extra solder.
Since your tube has broken loose from the core you could try reheating the solder joint and use an acid core solder if needed.
I used a propane torch like the plumbers use and carefully heated the joint at the core and moved the the tube to the proper position. Didn't need any extra solder.
Since your tube has broken loose from the core you could try reheating the solder joint and use an acid core solder if needed.
Is the new heater core a GM or is it an aftermarket core? If its an aftermarket one, send it back or throw it away and go for the real GM part that will last unlike the cheapo reproductions that may last 1/3 as long or less then an original.
Make sure you change out your cooling system at least every 2 years with a flush as well. This is what takes out heater cores and radiators, acids build up in your cooling system from so many dissimular metals in your cooling system, leave that in there and it eats from the inside out and usually your heater core is the sacrificial lamb so to speak.
Fastguy method heater core removal/replace just turned into slowguy method, if you take a whack at soldering the broken core and its not right, You'll be doing it again, not a pleasant job, 2nd time around, less pleasant. Take your time and do it right....
'
Good luck
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 190
From: Custer, WI
Great advise but unless you've done it before, it can be tricky, take it to a nearby radiator repair shop and let them do it correctly.
Is the new heater core a GM or is it an aftermarket core? If its an aftermarket one, send it back or throw it away and go for the real GM part that will last unlike the cheapo reproductions that may last 1/3 as long or less then an original.
Make sure you change out your cooling system at least every 2 years with a flush as well. This is what takes out heater cores and radiators, acids build up in your cooling system from so many dissimular metals in your cooling system, leave that in there and it eats from the inside out and usually your heater core is the sacrificial lamb so to speak.
Fastguy method heater core removal/replace just turned into slowguy method, if you take a whack at soldering the broken core and its not right, You'll be doing it again, not a pleasant job, 2nd time around, less pleasant. Take your time and do it right....
'
Good luck
Is the new heater core a GM or is it an aftermarket core? If its an aftermarket one, send it back or throw it away and go for the real GM part that will last unlike the cheapo reproductions that may last 1/3 as long or less then an original.
Make sure you change out your cooling system at least every 2 years with a flush as well. This is what takes out heater cores and radiators, acids build up in your cooling system from so many dissimular metals in your cooling system, leave that in there and it eats from the inside out and usually your heater core is the sacrificial lamb so to speak.
Fastguy method heater core removal/replace just turned into slowguy method, if you take a whack at soldering the broken core and its not right, You'll be doing it again, not a pleasant job, 2nd time around, less pleasant. Take your time and do it right....
'
Good luck
Its an aftermarket one from GhettoZone.
Yep, when i drained the antifreeze it was brown. I think part of its brownness came from the heater core when it took a ****, because the antifreeze was only about 5 months old. Or maybe the whole block is covered with crud, who knows. I'm going to be building an engine this winter so screw it, I'll just run water through the system until it comes out clear. (about 500 times
) I think I am going to try to solder it, it doesn't look to hard. I will upload a photo to see what you guys think of it.
Update: Here's what it looks like. Excuse the ****ty blackberry photo, but you get the picture.
As you can see it just separated from the solder a little bit. I ran water through it and plugged one of the outlets with my thumb and blew into the other side and a bit of water squirted out.
Last edited by Pwnage1337; Nov 1, 2009 at 10:42 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 4,689
Likes: 4
From: Yucaipa CA
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 190
From: Custer, WI
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,641
Likes: 13
From: Slidell Louisiana
It may sound unethical but since the part was manufactured so that it did not fit properly.......it is a manufacturing defect...so its a wash in the Karmic universe.
I don know what I'd do in your position since I would not install a cheap chinese knockoff heater core....I'd use a higher quality one since heatercores are a part I don't want to install twice.
Mike
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 412
From: WV
I would take it back, get my money, and order a GM core from thepartsladi on ebay for $38.95 plus shipping and know I had the best I could get in my car..You probably paid that much for the Chinese crap you have now.I like to save money, but this is one place I would get GM only....
..WW
..WW
Last edited by WW7; Nov 1, 2009 at 05:16 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,403
Likes: 3
From: Columbia Maryland
I would take it back, get my money, and order a GM core from thepartsladi on ebay for $38.95 plus shipping and know I had the best I could get in my car..You probably paid that much for the Chinese crap you have now.I like to save money, but this is one place I would get GM only......WW
..WW
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 2,240
Likes: 42
From: Baltimore, MD USA
I would take it back, get my money, and order a GM core from thepartsladi on ebay for $38.95 plus shipping and know I had the best I could get in my car..You probably paid that much for the Chinese crap you have now.I like to save money, but this is one place I would get GM only......WW
..WWI was wondering how the Parts Ladi could sell a genuine GM OEM heater core at that price. So I looked up the ad on E-bay. Well the heater core for $38.95 plus $10.00 shipping is made by Proliance and is not a GM/OEM heater core. They make no claims that it's manufactured in the US.
So I guess both of you could be replacing the heater core in the near future.
Autozone sells a Spectra heater core for $43.00 with a Lifetime warranty. For a warranty claim you can go to any Autozone store. The Parts Ladi has a 2 year warranty thru the manufacturer. So that probably means you have to deal with the manufacturer for any warranty repair/swap and pay for return shipping of the old core.
There was a forum member who purchased an item from the Parts Ladi and it failed. They would not exchange the item under warranty because he didn't keep the original box. That's one of downsides I see with dealing with The Parts Ladi. Who is going to keep the original box for 2 years?
Here's the link for the E-bay heater core listing.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/84-85...Q5fAccessories
Last edited by Hooked on Vettes; Nov 1, 2009 at 11:33 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,858
Likes: 7
From: Santa Maria CA
Couldn't you reseal it with a propane torch? If you do, pressure test before buttoning everything back up. If you don't have a torch, I'd just go to a radiator shop and have them seal it up (if their price is reasonable).
Last edited by 86PACER; Nov 2, 2009 at 12:52 AM.