AC Heater Core Replacement Source?

[Rich72C10]

I think I am having a leak on one of the hose connections to the AC Heater core (the one coming from the block). It acts like the hose is loose but I think it is the inlet. I loosened the clamp up, pulled the hose, put it back on and clamped it down. Pretty sure it can't get any tighter but still leaks. Hose is more or less new, so it is not split that I can see.

Anyways, I have already read up on how to get it out for replacement - looks like fun. But I want to find a good source for a replacement, sadly GMC Pauls seems to only have the non-AC Heater Core. I have read that "Mexico Made" or "Part Store" AC Heater Cores do not fit properly.


Soooo, any one have a current good source for a AC Heater Core for a 72 C10 original AC setup?

Thanks!

[Rich72C10]

I don't think I need a new AC Heater Core, though knowing where to get a proper one would be nice to know still.

My hose goes all the way to the firewall and that is where the hose clamp is/was at. When I had the hose off, after the nub the pipe has an indention - which I think that is where the water was getting through. A day or so ago I had rerouted the block to vacuum control so that hose was not laying on my fuel line. So I think that movement got the vacuum control to the AC Heater inlet out of whack.

I have moved the clamp back right after the nub and I *think* the leak has stopped or at the very least nearly gone. It has stop spewing out, that is for sure. With the hose so close to the firewall, it looked like the inlet pipe area was leaking.

Well, this is what I think as of now at least ;-)

[pjmoreland]

Based on recommendations I found in other threads, I bought a non-AC heater core from NPD, and it fit perfectly. I don't have any personal experience with the AC version, but they do list one on their website, and it is from the same manufacturer as the non-AC version:

https://www.npdlink.com/product/core.../194463/100664

I hope your leak is fixed because, you're right, it's loads of fun taking this stuff apart. I had a real hard time getting my heater box off the firewall because a previous owner glued it in place with silicone sealant.

[Rich72C10]

Thank you for that link and information pjmoreland!

So far so good, so now I am almost certain I am not leaking at the pipe inlet. Getting that area cleaned up from 50/50 is not so easy. I ended up just spaying some break cleaner around that area and cleaning it up with my shop rag. Started her up and it is still dry.

Looking at that photo from your link, after the front nub its a perfectly round (copper?) pipe. The side it is showing in the photo is where I have an indention after the nub. This indention seem made that way, it looks too uniformed to have been messed up that way. But I can see if you tighten your hose lamp on this area water could get through the hose.

[pjmoreland]

Having an indentation in that area seems strange to me. It would be asking to create a leak. Does the indentation run along the length of the pipe, or around it?

[Rich72C10]

It runs at the length of the pipe and is in an oval like shape. Kind of like I have dummied on this photo. My image skillz suck but you should get the idea.

The indention does seem "stamped" in - perhaps like a reinforcement stamping?

[pjmoreland]

Seems strange, but at least it isn't leaking now.

[Rich72C10]

agreed to that - though at some point these things fail. So I'll have this (and others) to refer too.

Though while it is a pain to replace this thing (darn inner fender), I had an early fox body mustang that I had to block off. The whole darn dash had to be pulled to get to the heater coil. I think I went through 2 winters without replacing it until I had enough F'n cold weather! Though back then I was in my early 20s and getting contorted was much easier than now (in my 50s)! LOL

[randy.powell]

Hey Rich! If it ends up you do have to replace it I got a good one from Rock Auto. Don't remember where it was manufactured but it' all copper. I just went out to the garage and looked at it to see if it had the part number on the box. I didn't end up using it so it's still sitting on the shelf. I'll take some pics of the labels on the box and heater core sometime today and post them here. Only thing is, I bought it in 2016 so I don't know what they may have now...
RP

[Rich72C10]

I do see them on Rock Auto, there are three to select from:

APDI/PRO 9010121
TYC 96119
OSC 98615

None appear to be copper, though the one that pjmoreland gave a link for appears to be copper / brass.

[too much stuff]

I went through this awhile back on a non a/c jimmy. Seems like the aluminum cores do not work. Pay the extra for a copper unit.

[dmjlambert]

Well I think I need one to fix my leak, so I emailed NPD and asked if they could assure me it is actually copper/brass. Rick of NPD wrote me back and said he looked on the shelf and sure enough it is copper/brass. So I'm ordering one right now. We'll see if it fits and is a good one. This is regarding the one pjmoreland gave a link to, the with AC heater core. Thanks, pjmoreland. I've been wondering what to do and was dreading getting an aluminum one. It seems very few places have a copper/brass one left and it's becoming a rare thing.

[pjmoreland]

I'm usually better at taking photos, but this is the only one I took of the non-AC heater core I got from NPD. The pipes look copper to me. the soldering was a tad sloppy, but it fit perfectly, and it doesn't leak. That's what matters to me. Hopefully you have the same experience with the AC version.

[Rich72C10]

Originally Posted by dmjlambert

Well I think I need one to fix my leak, so I emailed NPD and asked if they could assure me it is actually copper/brass. Rick of NPD wrote me back and said he looked on the shelf and sure enough it is copper/brass. So I'm ordering one right now. We'll see if it fits and is a good one. This is regarding the one pjmoreland gave a link to, the with AC heater core. Thanks, pjmoreland. I've been wondering what to do and was dreading getting an aluminum one. It seems very few places have a copper/brass one left and it's becoming a rare thing.

Do keep us posted, I might even pre-buy on to have it in stock! ha!

[dmjlambert]

Yes I was thinking if this one looks good I may buy another to keep as a spare for 25 years from now when they are all made of plastic.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by Rich72C10

I think I am having a leak on one of the hose connections to the AC Heater core (the one coming from the block). It acts like the hose is loose but I think it is the inlet. I loosened the clamp up, pulled the hose, put it back on and clamped it down. Pretty sure it can't get any tighter but still leaks. Hose is more or less new, so it is not split that I can see.

Anyways, I have already read up on how to get it out for replacement - looks like fun. But I want to find a good source for a replacement, sadly GMC Pauls seems to only have the non-AC Heater Core. I have read that "Mexico Made" or "Part Store" AC Heater Cores do not fit properly.


Soooo, any one have a current good source for a AC Heater Core for a 72 C10 original AC setup?

Thanks!

Word is Wes @ Classic Heartbeat sells a good one.

[Richard]

Taking your original to a radiator shop to have tested, repaired or re-cored is always an option. No matter where a new one is purchased odds are it will not be as good as the original.

[dmjlambert]

Good idea. I may take my bad one up to a shop and get that done and then keep it as my spare, if the cost is not too crazy.

[68 TT]

Originally Posted by too much stuff

I went through this awhile back on a non a/c jimmy. Seems like the aluminum cores do not work. Pay the extra for a copper unit.

The aluminum core I was stuck with using in a pinch really sucked to deal with. The tank end was so much larger than the copper original that the mounting clamps didn't even come close to fitting it.

I had to butcher them and heavily modify them to get them to fit the aluminum core and at that it required putting a button head fastener in from the back side so the threads stuck out of the blower housing to secure it in place. It was a bear to get into the housing that way too. I hope it never fails but at least it has a lifetime warranty.

[ChevyGuyNC]

I'm pretty sure I need to replace my heater core. Factory AC truck. It's got green rusty crap around it. Doesn't appear to be leaking, but I did find heater hoses disconnected when I bought the truck. Reconnected them, and still no leaks but I'm for replacing it before it fails and flood my cab. For an AC truck I've seen you DON'T have to do in the inner fender, just undo the four outside nuts and it comes out from the inside... Hoping that's true.

[Rich72C10]

let us know how it works out!

[Rich72C10]

Found that one can be found (copper) at Summit too - when back in stock in June 2021!

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/o...ckup/year/1972

OER 3025322 - OER Heater Cores
oer-3025322