Is my heater core going to survive?

[Longhorn 70]

The heater core has been dry for years. I recently hoked the houses up to pressure test it with the heater/AC box removed. I see no signs of leakage or do I smell coolant.

Am I going to have to do the job twice?

[swamp rat]

The heater core is nothing more than a small radiator so unless it leaks and does not hold pressure it should be fine unless there is another problem we cant see.

[Longhorn 70]

It is an older Stant core that I installed in 1993 or so. The newer ones I see today look of lesser quality. I guess if I don't replace it and it starts to leak, it will be a gain of experience and wisdom. I'll go for it.

[rsavage]

I have made a decision to install a new heater core everytime I restore a vehicle, especially one of these trucks with AC as they are a bear to change out once everything is put back together. I am currently doing my 65 GTO and although the heater core didn't leak when I started taking the car apart to get it ready to go to paint, it will be a year and a half or so since it last had coolant through it when it gets back together. So, for piece of mind, I will change it out before putting the car together again because I just don't want to trust a 48 year old heater core. Obviously your decision - just posting what I would do.

[TBONE1964]

Is the truck now in running condition?

If yes, here is what I would do to be sure. Use the heater hoses and hook the heater core up outside of the heater box. Use a coat hanger or bungee to hang it up. Make sure it is not to high or it will get air trapped in it. Run the truck and let it go through a couple of heat cycles. This will let you know if it is going to leak or not before you trouble with the installation only to find it is bad.

[Longhorn 70]

I do have it installed right now where it should sit. It is also open to the outside air. If I were home I'd send pictures. Immagine the heater core and interior parts in place but the heat/AC box under the hood is out. I am driving the truck but it is cool out. Maybe I'll block the radiator a bit and get the heat up to 200° or so. Drive it for a few more days first.

rsavage thanks for the input. I did consider that too. It seems many of the new parts I have been gettting are just so....cheap feeling. I don't know whether to trust old stuff or new stuff anymore.

[cdowns]

the reason alot of heater cores fail is due to the radiaror cap being too high of a pressure/// a lifelong radiator guy advised my of this many many years ago and i usually stick with a 8-10lb cap

[Longhorn 70]

THANKS for that bit! I'll get a new cap and have it tested.

[slow-1]

I just replaced my heater core over the weekend...the first core I got from Advance Auto was aluminum and did not fit, the ends of the core were not the same shape as the original so the bracket didn't fit.

Took it back and the parts girl called another store about 10 miles away and asked them to look up the same part number and they had one that was brass and correct. The guy at that store said he figures it had been on the shelf for 10 years or more.

Moral of the story, find a brass one if you decide to replace it.

[lha1992]

Originally Posted by cdowns

the reason alot of heater cores fail is due to the radiaror cap being too high of a pressure/// a lifelong radiator guy advised my of this many many years ago and i usually stick with a 8-10lb cap

I have never heard of that being the case. I thought these truck all came standard with the 15 or 16lb caps. Gonna look into this cause I just put in a new heater core 2 weeks ago.

[1972RedNeck]

I always run a cap around 7 lbs. Even if the system will take it, it's easier on it if you stay lower.

[Keating121]

Here's mine. Is your's looking like this Longhorn?