Heater core
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 648
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From: weems va
Heater core
Any suggestions on replacement part for my 93? I see them on Rock fro under 30$ Considering the PIA they are to replace i want to only do it one time. I guess there are some Utube videos showing how also. Dave
Racer
Joined: May 2012
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Pro
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 579
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From: Grapevine TX
As far as parts, no matter which one you get you'll probably find the tubes aren't bent correctly. There was someone who posted recently that they put one in and had to force the tubes to get them to go through the holes in the firewall. Doing that caused a crack and a leak. Whatever you get, plan to take it, along with your original one to a radiator repair shop and have them first tweak the tubes to get them as close to the OE as possible, then have them pressure test it to make sure it's not going to leak.
I just replaced mine, I wanted to go with a copper and brass one, as opposed to the aluminum that most of the ones on the market are now. I found there are still a few NOS replacements on ebay that are copper. The brand is Ready-Aire and the part number is 398202. The tubes on that one were close but I still had to have them tweaked a little. I also just saw where Corvette Central is listing their heater cores as being copper and brass, they don't list the manufacturer so I don't know if they just got their hands on a stock of the Ready-Aire cores or if they've found somewhere else to get them.
I just replaced mine, I wanted to go with a copper and brass one, as opposed to the aluminum that most of the ones on the market are now. I found there are still a few NOS replacements on ebay that are copper. The brand is Ready-Aire and the part number is 398202. The tubes on that one were close but I still had to have them tweaked a little. I also just saw where Corvette Central is listing their heater cores as being copper and brass, they don't list the manufacturer so I don't know if they just got their hands on a stock of the Ready-Aire cores or if they've found somewhere else to get them.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 579
Likes: 120
From: Grapevine TX
I actually asked the guy at the radiator repair shop if repairing the OE was feasible, thinking maybe I'd do that to have a known good spare in case of trouble. He said the chance of even being able to repair one is about 50/50 and that it'd cost at least $100 if it could be done. I ended up deciding not to bother.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2012
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From: weems va
Ive had radiators repaired back in the day when it was an old car and i can remember alot more shops that did the work( grew up in NYC ) Im going to take a chance on rock auto probably. Heater core had small leak a little steam on window. I put in some stop leak and it stopped leaking and now i have no heat,bummer. I may take some pictures. I know big shock. Dave
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 173
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From: Blk Mtn NC
Went though this last year. Got mine from NAPA, very high quality but like others said one of the outlet tubes isn't bent correctly.
Once you see how hard these are to change you may do what I did. Took the heater core by a commercial radiator shop and they bent the tube to match the old one and then pressure checked it. Better to find a leak then as later.
All good and heating fine a year in.
Good luck,
Mike
Once you see how hard these are to change you may do what I did. Took the heater core by a commercial radiator shop and they bent the tube to match the old one and then pressure checked it. Better to find a leak then as later.
All good and heating fine a year in.
Good luck,
Mike
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 161
Likes: 4
Drain the power
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...h-removal.html Dave, try this, Charlie
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