C1 heater core failure?

[Don Izzo]

Took the wife and the 60 to a cruise night last night and half way there my honey tells me that something hot is dripping on her feet. I look over and sure enough antifreeze is making an appearance on my rugs. I had a problem with the spring clamps leaking at the heater core when I built the car 3 years ago. But had since fixed that problem although the spring clamps are still installed. When I got to the cruise I looked under the dash and find antifreeze dribbling out of the bottom of the metal heater box. Doesn't look like it's coming from the hose. I installed a NOS heater core that came with this all original basket case and even tested it with a garden hose before installing it. Tested it with Cold water could be why it didn't show bad. Only used the heater 3 times in 3 years. Could have been leaking last time out as I was alone and not watching the floor:)
I'll take a closer look this week end. Maybe NOS heater cores are not the way to go. Purhaps they degrade without use.
Question here is this, would you guys have this one repaired/recored, replace it with the readily available units OR does Tom Dewitt make replacements. (I have one of his Aluminum repro copper radiators and it is everything he said it would be!). I don't want to go through the dissassembly again!
So...whats the best way to go new repro, repair mine or a unit from someone like (Tom If available)? any way to definately confirm the core is the culpit while it's installed?

Thanks for your input, it is always appreciated!
Don

[lyndon sharpton]

Re: C1 heater core failure?

I just allways put in a new one, I dont care if it does not have what ever tag are stamp on one. I hope that I want see it for a long time. to me it is cheeper an faster to put in new.