jim------
Well, based on Dr. Rebuild's assessments I'd say that the status of AC/Delco heater cores has degenerated, which is not surprising these days. As I mentioned, it appeared to me that all of these cores, regardless of brand, were the same. It sounds like the AC/Delco cores might even be inferior to others; certainly they're no better. Actually, I don't think that Harrison has manufactured these cores in MANY years, although I think that there may have been a USA source that Delco used once-upon-a-time. The second to the last one that I installed in my car (more than 15 years ago) although of the original part number of GM #3014900 was not a Harrison-manufactured unit. Nowhere on the part was the Harrison-embossed emblem and the configuration of the tanks was different than the original and first SERVICE replacement I used. In fact, I had to slightly modify the heater box to acccept the core.
One thing to keep in mind: for many years AC/Delco was both a manufacturing organization AND a marketing organization. It ceased to be a manufacturing organization when DELPHI was "spun off" from GM. These days, AC/Delco is nothing but a marketing organization. They purchase parts from wherever, package or have them packaged in AC/Delco boxes, and market them. I don't think that there's anywhere near the quality control of the products sold as there used to be.
For newer model applications, the AC/Delco service parts are apt to be PRODUCTION-quality pieces as used in PRODUCTION and as manufactured by DELPHI or other "Tier 1" suppliers to GM. However, where the big difference is these days is that DELPHI and other "Tier 1" suppliers don't continue to manufacture many parts long after the parts are no longer used in PRODUCTION. In the old days, GM and AC/Delco DID manufacture many SERVICE parts to original PRODUCTION standards for many years after the cars that used them were out of production.
The above means that one of two things must happen as far as GM or AC/Delco SERVICE parts are concerned:
1) the "discontinued sign goes up", or,
2) another manufacturing source for the part must be found
If (1) occurs, the part is "dead" as far as GM is concerned. There are MANY parts which fall into this category.
If the part is considered a maintenence or wear part that could be sold in sufficient volume to justify it, AC/Delco may seek out another supplier. Chances are HUGE that this "other supplier" won't be a "Tier 1" supplier but will be an "aftermarket" manufacturing source (WAY, WAY down on "tier"). To make the economics "work", there may be considerable "consolidation" of part numbers so that you end up with a part which services MANY applications, but none of them well by OEM standards.
Well, based on Dr. Rebuild's assessments I'd say that the status of AC/Delco heater cores has degenerated, which is not surprising these days. As I mentioned, it appeared to me that all of these cores, regardless of brand, were the same. It sounds like the AC/Delco cores might even be inferior to others; certainly they're no better. Actually, I don't think that Harrison has manufactured these cores in MANY years, although I think that there may have been a USA source that Delco used once-upon-a-time. The second to the last one that I installed in my car (more than 15 years ago) although of the original part number of GM #3014900 was not a Harrison-manufactured unit. Nowhere on the part was the Harrison-embossed emblem and the configuration of the tanks was different than the original and first SERVICE replacement I used. In fact, I had to slightly modify the heater box to acccept the core.
One thing to keep in mind: for many years AC/Delco was both a manufacturing organization AND a marketing organization. It ceased to be a manufacturing organization when DELPHI was "spun off" from GM. These days, AC/Delco is nothing but a marketing organization. They purchase parts from wherever, package or have them packaged in AC/Delco boxes, and market them. I don't think that there's anywhere near the quality control of the products sold as there used to be.
For newer model applications, the AC/Delco service parts are apt to be PRODUCTION-quality pieces as used in PRODUCTION and as manufactured by DELPHI or other "Tier 1" suppliers to GM. However, where the big difference is these days is that DELPHI and other "Tier 1" suppliers don't continue to manufacture many parts long after the parts are no longer used in PRODUCTION. In the old days, GM and AC/Delco DID manufacture many SERVICE parts to original PRODUCTION standards for many years after the cars that used them were out of production.
The above means that one of two things must happen as far as GM or AC/Delco SERVICE parts are concerned:
1) the "discontinued sign goes up", or,
2) another manufacturing source for the part must be found
If (1) occurs, the part is "dead" as far as GM is concerned. There are MANY parts which fall into this category.
If the part is considered a maintenence or wear part that could be sold in sufficient volume to justify it, AC/Delco may seek out another supplier. Chances are HUGE that this "other supplier" won't be a "Tier 1" supplier but will be an "aftermarket" manufacturing source (WAY, WAY down on "tier"). To make the economics "work", there may be considerable "consolidation" of part numbers so that you end up with a part which services MANY applications, but none of them well by OEM standards.