My beautiful 73 with only 11,000 miles is leaking antifreeze onto the floor board. Looks like it must be time to replace since I stopped it temporarily with BARS LEAK a year ago and now it is back. Any advice on the best source for a correct replacement? Thanks guys.
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Re: C-3 Radiator & heater core
IMO the worst thing about a heater core leak is the antifreeze in the carpeting and the insulation underneath. You could first check Auto Zone, they might have to order it in overnight. All the Corvette parts venders sell heater cores. The Last Detail is also a source. They advertise in Corvette Fever that they sell AC Delco parts. A quick phone call to your favorite GM parts counter will let you know if its available through them. My dealership can get parts overnight. Just depends on your location. I had to do this on my 70 about 6 years ago and I keep hoping my 68 will continue functioning with its factory original. -
Re: C-3 Radiator & heater core
Non A/C have access through the engine compartment, A/C will have access through the dash. Key piece of advice - test the new core for leaks before final install. Seen leaks in "new" cores before. The core can also be bypassed if necessary.
Juliet (1970 registry and NCRS member)has a great link on her site for A/C cars.
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Re: C-3 Radiator & heater core
I order mine at the auto parts store as they are out of sight when installed.A word of advise when removing the housing on the firewall in the engine area their may be two jam nuts covered with sealant that must be removed before the unit will pull out inside. Check all the studs after removing the blower and housing for jam nuts. The rest of the project is pretty simple.Lyle
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Re: C-3 Radiator & heater core
Carl-----
Heater cores in Corvettes are a life-limited component which is morew based on chronological age than mileage. Other factors eneter into the "equation", too. These are cooling system maintenence and, of MAJOR importance, novice attempts at removing heater hoses from the core without splitting the hose and "peeling" it off the core tube (i.e folks foolishly trying to "save" the heater hose).
DELPHI-Harrison no longer makes heater cores for C1, C2, or C3 Corvettes. However, cores are sold in Delco boxes which are very likely the same cores sold in other boxes. In any event, I still prefer to use the Delco brand as it gives me some measure of confidence. The core for your car is GM #3014900 if your car is NON-A/C and GM #3037379 if your car is A/C-equipped.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: C-3 Radiator & heater core
So! are you guys saying the heater core in a 73 (no air) is accessible from the firewall entirely or at least some of the studs/nuts are on the inside? I get antifreeze smell at higher rpm (above 4000) and I am assumeing the heatercore has a pinhole leak.Comment
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Addendum
I'm not certain if the part numbers I provided are still active numbers. They may have been discontinued or superceded. It's been awhile since I checed on them.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: C-3 Radiator & heater core
On 73's air or non air you must remove nuts and blower assy. on the engine side and pull the unit out on the inside to change a heater core. I remove the pass. seat,sillplate,side kick plate, R. H. lower dash. Thease things come out easy after the first time. The inside unit must be out of the car to change the heater core.Lyle
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Addendum to Addendum
The part numbers have been superceded. Here's the scoop:
1963-67 without A/C= GM #52484057
1963-67 with A/C= discontinued; hasn't been available from GM in over 20 years
1968-69 without A/C= GM #52484059
1968-77 with A/C= GM #52484060
1978-79 with A/C= GM #52484066
1980-82= GM #52484066
I believe that all of the above parts are "Hecho En Mexico" and are, likely, the same parts available in "Pep Boys", "Chief", and "Kragen" boxes. However, as I say and to be safe, I go with the ones in Delco boxes.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Correction to Addendum to Addendum
The "68-69 without A/C" should read "68-79 without A/C"In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: Correction to Addendum to Addendum
Joe, thank you so much. Mine is a non a/c.Comment
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Delco vs. Others
There is no guarantee that a Delco is any better than the others. We would like to think so, but it aint always the case. I have bought over the counter parts from GM that were returned "to service". Now thats a term for assembly line parts that are defective to be repaired or just returned to the system to be distributed to an unsuspecting public. It is shameful of our beloved GM, but it happens and no matter how much they deny , it`true. I have the proof. Hey man if it wasnt good enough for them, I certainly dont want it. Now on the subject of heater cores, a local shop near me just changed out a heater core in a 85. He related this to me today, that he installed a parts store variety that leaked, and one from GM that the pipe came off and another GM that had a misformed short pipe, and now back to a parts store variety that works so far.. So its a crap shoot at best.Comment
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Re: C-3 Radiator & heater core
When I replaced the heater core 6-8 years ago in my 70 and my 85 I used Delco parts. I did not pressure check them before installation. I have a Delco heater core for my 68 that I bought about 15 years ago just to be prepared in case they became unavailable.Comment
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Re: C-3 Radiator & heater core
I am a little uneasy about removing the dash myself, but I may suck it up and go ahead. Question: Can the lower right dash come out without removing the console and radio?Comment
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Re: C-3 Radiator & heater core
Yes you do not need to remove the center console to remove the right dash pad but their are screws in center metal bezel into the R.H. pad that must be removed.Lyle
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