Heater core from GM or .......??

[Jim #42767]

Gm parts direct.com has a heater core part number 52484057. Paragon, C Central, LI Corvette also have a replacement. Question is;

Does the replacement from GM have better materials or is manufactured in a better way that would warrant a purchase, Or all all heater cores alike and built in mexico?

[Joe L.]

Re: Heater core from GM or .......??

Jim-----

The GM #52484057 is the current non-AC heater core applicable to 63-67 Corvettes. This part is of non-Delphi/Harrison manufacture and of non-USA origin. I could not tell you, for sure, that all of the heater cores surrently available for your application are from the same manufacturing source, but packaged in different boxes under various brand names. However, I strongly suspect that this is the case. In any event, the heater cores that I have examined in boxes of different brands all appeared to be the same to me.

By this stage in the life of a part, the market has shrunk to such a degree that "manufacturing consolidation" takes place.

Nevertheless, if it were me, I would go with the GM/Delco core for 3 reasons, even though the GM/Delco core is VERY likely the same as all others currently available:

1) It's a major brand with a reputation to maintain and a brand that I'm comfortable with;

2) There's unlikley to be anything better out there under any other brand;

3) There usually won't be much difference in price between GM/Delco and the other brands, assuming that you purchase the GM/Delco part from a price-competitive source.

[Jim #42767]

Re: Heater core from GM or .......??

When you say go with the GM core, do you mean buy the one from GM?

[Joe L.]

Re: Heater core from GM or .......??

Jim------

Either from GM or through a Delco dealer like Dr. Rebuild. This particular part will be the same through GM or Delco and, either way, will come in a Delco box with the same GM "long number" on it.

[Jim #42767]

Re: Heater core from GM or .......??

Sir

The AC/Delco/Delphi/GM cores are overpriced considering that they are made in Mexico as most all other cores. Harrison in Harrison, NY made the original (heater core; AC evap cores: radiators & AC condensers) cores, however in the last 5 years all USA production ceased in favor of Mexican manufacture. At the beginning they were terrible while learning. Sometimes the core pipes were soldered in backwards; sometimes one each way 180 degrees apart; sometimes not even soldered just loose in the box. It was quite a birthing period and for the price AC/Delco/Delphi/GM wants - they are not worth it anymore. If they were equivalent to the real Harrison parts in quality I would recommend them.

We offer Mexican equivalents in the no name, no brand box. $69.95. Regretfully the good original Harrison ones are not to be found anymore. The far east ones have not arrived yet. I have one 63-67 and one 68-77 Harrison core, but I have 2 cars that need them. If I had any idea that they were going to stop making them, I would have ordered a railroad car full. Frankly, I would rather have a Harrison any day, but any company with stock and shareholders seems to prefer offshore production and the short term goals that produces for shareholders.

Really no choice today. I'm sure some imports will and they already have lasted 5 years, but most Harrisons made it to 30 years and I don't think anything they make today has a projected life that long. My 75 AC crapped out last winter. 28 years. I would hate to put a crappy AC core in, much harder to replace than a non-AC C2 or C-3.

Regrets,

PS We do stock and sell the $69.95 ones, even though I cannot recommend them highly.

[Brian G.]

Harrison Radiator - Lockport , N.Y. *NM*

[Geoff C.]

Yep Harrison Radiator - Lockport , N.Y.

As a 25+ year member of the NCRS, I CRS.

Harrison NY is in Westshester County NY where my college fraternity brother Ronnie lived on a huge gated estate. While in college he collected old Colt pistols and his old man gave him a brand new 63 340 HP Riverside Red coupe. A few of us were somewhat jealous.

Geoffrey Coenen

[Joe R.]

Re: Heater core from GM or .......??

Joe, can you provide the current part number for the 1967 A/C heater core? I'm inclined to take your advice and get the GM part if it is available.

[Joe L.]

Re: Heater core from GM or .......??

Joe----

For a mid year with A/C a Delco replacement is not an option. That heater core, GM #3008575, was discontinued without supercession in March, 1973. So, since then, the aftermarket product is all that's been available.