Looking For Best Quality Heater Core

[Brad H.]

Guys,
i just installed a new heater core in my 69 BB. It was new in the box purchased from one of the larger Corvette Parts retailers. The box has "Made in Mexico" all over it and in retrospect I should have just sent it back. But..... I went through the arduous task of R&R and sure enough after it sat for a couple of days it began to leak. The leak unfortunately is not a connection but appears to be in the core.
i will have to remove the heater core and replace it so I am soliciting anyone's recommendations for a new, quality, made in the USA heater core.
i surely appreciate any recommendations you may have!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Brad Hood

[Jim D.]

Re: Looking For Best Quality Heater Core

Did you have your replacement core pressure checked before installing it? If you still have the original one, take it to your local radiator shop and have it re-cored.

[Dick W.]

Re: Looking For Best Quality Heater Core

Unless you find very old stock, I think you will be hard pressed to find a USA manufactured core. Not defending the manufactured or seller, or your installationbut from prior experience of owning a radiator shop, I will tell you that cores are easily damaged during installation. The connection of the tubes when they enter the tank is especially fragile

[Joe L.]

Re: Looking For Best Quality Heater Core

Guys,
i just installed a new heater core in my 69 BB. It was new in the box purchased from one of the larger Corvette Parts retailers. The box has "Made in Mexico" all over it and in retrospect I should have just sent it back. But..... I went through the arduous task of R&R and sure enough after it sat for a couple of days it began to leak. The leak unfortunately is not a connection but appears to be in the core.
i will have to remove the heater core and replace it so I am soliciting anyone's recommendations for a new, quality, made in the USA heater core.
i surely appreciate any recommendations you may have!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Brad Hood

Brad------


First of all, many automotive parts, including those for OEM applications currently used in PRODUCTION, are manufactured in Mexico and other foreign countries. The location of manufacture does not make a part bad. If you think it does, don't even think of buying a new car because you'll have an absolute PLETHORA of non-USA-manufactured components as part of it, including complete engines and transmission assemblies.

As far as heater cores go, the vast majority of these are manufactured in foreign countries of which Mexico has long been a major source. I believe that DELPHI, the former GM parts operation and still a major supplier to GM, has major automotive thermal component manufacturing operations in Mexico.

Notwithstanding the above, the last two Delco heater cores I purchased for my 1969 were manufactured in USA (see photo below). These were GM #19131997. Were all heater cores of this part number manufactured in USA? I don't know but it's HIGHLY possible that they were not. In any event, this part has been discontinued although there are probably still some around.

Now for some really good news. For years I've been searching for an ALUMINUM heater core as a replacement for C3 or C4 Corvettes, all of which were originally equipped with a copper/brass core. Virtually all modern cars use aluminum heater cores. Aluminum has lots of benefits, whether it's an all aluminum core or one using plastic tanks. One of the benefits is that there are not the HIGHLY PROBLEMATIC solder joints that usually are the source of the "death" of most heater cores. Another benefit is longevity, partly the result of the aforementioned but partly for other reasons. There are quite a few Corvettes out there from the 60's and early 70's running with original aluminum radiators. That's because when a cooling system is properly maintained, aluminum radiators will last a LONG time. The same is true for aluminum heater cores.

Another factor is that Corvettes with aluminum radiators (most C2, many early C3, and ALL C4) now have "hybrid" cooling systems. By this I mean they have aluminum radiators but copper/brass heater cores. I much prefer a system which uses radiator and heater core of the same material (like most modern cars, including C5, C6, and C7, which use aluminum for both)

Well, "my ship has finally come in". There are now aluminum heater cores available for all C3 and C4 Corvettes (sorry, none currently for C2's). Yes, they're made in China but, as I mentioned, so are numerous parts, undoubtedly including heater cores, found in brand new cars (maybe even new C7's). I recently replaced the core in my 1969 with a 19131997 but when it goes (and it will), I've already got the aluminum piece to replace it. Then, I think I'll be set "for the duration". I might even switch to DexCool, then. I'll post photos of the aluminum heater cores for C3 (non AC) and all C4 in the following post


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[Joe L.]

Re: Looking For Best Quality Heater Core

Here are the photos of the C3 (non AC) aluminum heater core:



DSCN2886.jpgDSCN2887.jpgDSCN2888.jpg

[Joe L.]

Re: Looking For Best Quality Heater Core

And here are the photos of the C4 aluminum heater core. Ever had to replace one of these? If so, you KNOW that you definitely want the replacement to last a LONG time.


DSCN2889.jpgDSCN2890.jpgDSCN2891.jpg

[Brad H.]

Re: Looking For Best Quality Heater Core

Thanks to everyone for their comments and no I did not have it pressure checked. The car is pretty much gutted on the inside so access to the heater box is not so bad and it's a non-AC car. I'm very sure I did not disturb the core or the inlet and outlet tubes. Next time I certainly will have it tested first.

Joe thanks for the great discussion on aluminum radiators and heater cores. Where did you find the Chinese made aluminum heater cores? Was that a one time thing or are they available?
Brad

[Joe L.]

Re: Looking For Best Quality Heater Core

Thanks to everyone for their comments and no I did not have it pressure checked. The car is pretty much gutted on the inside so access to the heater box is not so bad and it's a non-AC car. I'm very sure I did not disturb the core or the inlet and outlet tubes. Next time I certainly will have it tested first.

Joe thanks for the great discussion on aluminum radiators and heater cores. Where did you find the Chinese made aluminum heater cores? Was that a one time thing or are they available?
Brad

Brad------


They are available. I found them at and ordered them from Rock Auto. The brand that was shown was Spectra Premium which is a major Canadian supplier to the automotive industry. However, the brand shown on the box was "Cooling Depot". The part number for the C3 non AC core is 94555.

[Joe L.]

Re: Looking For Best Quality Heater Core

Did you have your replacement core pressure checked before installing it? If you still have the original one, take it to your local radiator shop and have it re-cored.

Jim-----


Yes, that a very good option. However, one needs to keep in mind that the replacement core soldered to the original tanks will VERY likely be of foreign manufacture. In the end, one will have US-manufactured tanks and tubes but a foreign core. So, if one is actually adverse to foreign-manufactured parts, this option will not get around that very much.

[Harry S.]

Re: Looking For Best Quality Heater Core

If you have a choice between one made in Mexico and one made in China or somewhere over there, go with Mexico.

Just take the new one to your local radiator shop and pressure test it. 15 pounds is enough.

[Brad H.]

Re: Looking For Best Quality Heater Core

Thanks Joe,
i have been searching for them with Ggogle but no luck so I glad to know where you found them!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Brad