Hey all, Since i have the front clip off my car and the engine out, i am going to reseal the heater box. I got a seal kit and am looking to replace the heater core. I am looking at this specific unit: https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=946892&cc=1441309&jsn=10461 Is this any good? Or are there any better options. Thanks, Scott
AC? no AC? 71 Skylark? Summit sells brass copper cores: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-382126/applications/make/buick?prefilter=1 I just don't like aluminium cores. And I don't have a good reason except I think aluminium can crack and have galvanic corrosion. If the OEM used it, it's good enough for me!
Yes 71 Skylark w/ AC, 455 swap. I saw the concerns with the corrosion on aluminum, one thing to keep in mind. Might see if i can have the OEM unit i the car currently tested and cleaned. If it checks out then i would run that. I was just thinking of the age of it might be an issue.
I agree - re-core the original one if you can. The OEM units had a reinforcement strap on the tubes which the new ones do not.
Scott, If you have a good radiator shop near you, have them recore your original with a Maine Auto Radiator core. They're out of Lewiston, Maine and have a website if you Google the name of the company. I just had one done a couple weeks ago for a very reasonable price. It was a little more than a repro but I'd rather pay extra for better quality & fitment. Something to think about.
Nothing like an original for fit. The nozzle ends on them are better too. Aftermarket are leak prone and don’t always line up well with openings in firewall. It can be a fight to get them in.
I'll get the box removed to reseal it and have the core tested while everything is out. Being in San Diego CA I doubt the heater will get much use, if ever. I just really don't want to get a leak then have to tear everything back apart. The front clip is off and engine is out of the car so it is the perfect time to reseal and check things out.
Considering it's apart, that's a good idea. Have it tested and recored if need be. Sometimes they test okay and once the hot water starts running through them, they leak.
Man I would not be a happy camper if I had it tested only to have it fail later on lol. We put a man on the moon, I expect to be able to test a 40 year old heater core for leaks successfully
When I had my car apart, I figured that I would replace the 40+ year old heater core. I tried two different brands from the local parts store, They both looked like they were very poor quality so I reinstalled my original. Hopefully in a few years I won't regret it. I got my car from the original owner, my Grandfather, so I knew the history of it and know that the cooling system was flushed every two years. It looked new inside.
Never hurts to clean up - especially in the HVAC ducts! It comes apart easily and it just dust and dirt inside.
Got that cover off and cleaned it out. There is a flap that switches between the defrost and the floor vent, it is covered with some kind of foam (that was barley there anymore except for under the staples). I got a seal kit for this box that has a large square foam piece that appears to go in place of the old foam piece on the flap. The only issue is, is that it doesn't quite cover the entire area the original piece does. The original piece wrapped around to the opposite side, this new piece doesn't have enough real estate to wrap around, but to much to just be on only one side. Any ideas?
Scott, I'm in San Diego also. Have you decided who will rebuild your heater core yet? I like to reach out to a place called Southland Clutch for referrals. They are down in National City and have never led me astray. Cheers, Mike
