heater core troubles - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

dropped_71chevy · 12-30-2003, 03:12 AM

I had some fun trying to replace my heater core.

I dropped the fender, pulled the shroud, got the core out and went on my way to Checkers.

I get to checkers get my new core and I'm on my way home once again.

I go to put the brackets around the new core and realize the new core's tanks are about 1/2 an inch too long. No good. I fiddle with it some more then decide I need to go back to Checkers.

I tell the lady what my situation is but she says that her cute little book says that thats the right core and that I'm not trying hard enough to put my core back in. I tell her I shouldn't have to try hard. I want one that has the same dimensions as my old one.

BTW my old one was about 6" wide new one was 6 3/8"

After 45 minutes she finally calls Autozone and has them measure the width. Guess what, it's 6" wide but the same part number.

I was really happy about that one. Plus I had to pay 10 bucks more for the one from Autozone.

Anyways that was how my day off went. So if you have core problems make sure you take the old core with you and compare before you buy. It'll save you an hour and a half of trouble.

TT

dinnut · 12-30-2003, 04:21 AM

wow... that lady was really nice and wanted to help you

she could have pulled another one if she had and seen if it was the same. she could have done a lot of stuff... i need a new heater core... ill make sure and measure mine before i make that mistake...

Maximum Overdrive · 12-30-2003, 09:48 AM

Sounds like a carrier bearing experience I had at Checker. Bought it there and it went bad a few years later. Well I go back to the same store to get another one and then I argue for half-hour with the guy about it as he tells me they never made any such part for my truck like the one I tell him I need. I finally went to a store that deals only in bearings and got it no problem.

Martin64 · 12-30-2003, 05:11 PM

The new heater core I got was about 1/4" wider so I cut the brackets in half and screwed them back in place. They hold everything just fine and nothing rattles.

gr8scott51 · 12-30-2003, 08:40 PM

Buy your stuff from somebody that cares. I got my radiator and heater core from WES at Classic Heartbeat on this board. Cheaper and they fit right the first time. Hope you learned something from your experience. Glad to hear it all turned out alright. scott

**Classic Heartbeat** · 12-30-2003, 08:48 PM

Thank you gr8scott51, You forgot to mention they are made in the USA heater cores also... LOL I have gone through the same thing with auto zone, schuck's, cut rate auto parts, etc. They all say that you should modify your brackets like Martin64 did. I say BS!! I want cores that fit!! Well I found them and they fit great... WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com

*67Fleetsidedream* · 12-30-2003, 08:53 PM

I always take the old part with me to the parts store. They can't argue with fact.

dropped_71chevy · 12-30-2003, 09:54 PM

I took the core, she still felt like arguing.

I would have loved to order a core from someone that knows but then again it would have taken a week longer to get a core, its the middle of winter in Wyoming, I'm not going without heat.

Its good to restoration parts online but I'm not gonna wait however long for something mechanical

gr8scott51 · 12-31-2003, 01:42 AM

..but I had no way of knowing where you're located by your signature. There are so many vendors on the front page of this board, there may be someone nearby. Like I said, glad things worked out okay. Scott

tomsC10R · 12-31-2003, 02:31 AM

Haystack,
Thanks for the warning

12-30-2003, 03:12 AM	#1
dropped_71chevy Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Northern Colorado Posts: 198	heater core troubles I had some fun trying to replace my heater core. I dropped the fender, pulled the shroud, got the core out and went on my way to Checkers. I get to checkers get my new core and I'm on my way home once again. I go to put the brackets around the new core and realize the new core's tanks are about 1/2 an inch too long. No good. I fiddle with it some more then decide I need to go back to Checkers. I tell the lady what my situation is but she says that her cute little book says that thats the right core and that I'm not trying hard enough to put my core back in. I tell her I shouldn't have to try hard. I want one that has the same dimensions as my old one. BTW my old one was about 6" wide new one was 6 3/8" After 45 minutes she finally calls Autozone and has them measure the width. Guess what, it's 6" wide but the same part number. I was really happy about that one. Plus I had to pay 10 bucks more for the one from Autozone. Anyways that was how my day off went. So if you have core problems make sure you take the old core with you and compare before you buy. It'll save you an hour and a half of trouble. TT

12-30-2003, 04:21 AM	#2
dinnut Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: missouri city, tx Posts: 4,486	wow... that lady was really nice and wanted to help you she could have pulled another one if she had and seen if it was the same. she could have done a lot of stuff... i need a new heater core... ill make sure and measure mine before i make that mistake... __________________ 70 longbed 496/th400/Ford 9"

12-30-2003, 09:48 AM	#3
Maximum Overdrive December 21, 2012 Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Black Eagle, Montana Posts: 1,634	Sounds like a carrier bearing experience I had at Checker. Bought it there and it went bad a few years later. Well I go back to the same store to get another one and then I argue for half-hour with the guy about it as he tells me they never made any such part for my truck like the one I tell him I need. I finally went to a store that deals only in bearings and got it no problem. __________________ *"!Ama Sua, Ama Kjella, Ama Lllulla!"*

12-30-2003, 05:11 PM	#4
Martin64 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Yuma, Az Posts: 477	The new heater core I got was about 1/4" wider so I cut the brackets in half and screwed them back in place. They hold everything just fine and nothing rattles. __________________ Martin Gibson USAF Retired 1964(-ish) C10

12-30-2003, 08:40 PM	#5
gr8scott51 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bremerton, WA Posts: 1,839	buy from the right person Buy your stuff from somebody that cares. I got my radiator and heater core from WES at Classic Heartbeat on this board. Cheaper and they fit right the first time. Hope you learned something from your experience. Glad to hear it all turned out alright. scott __________________ Silence is golden, duct tape is silver. - Scott

12-30-2003, 08:48 PM	#6
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,770	Thank you gr8scott51, You forgot to mention they are made in the USA heater cores also... LOL I have gone through the same thing with auto zone, schuck's, cut rate auto parts, etc. They all say that you should modify your brackets like Martin64 did. I say BS!! I want cores that fit!! Well I found them and they fit great... WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com __________________ On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys

12-30-2003, 08:53 PM	#7
67Fleetsidedream Wiseass secured himself a BAN Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: MOON!!! Posts: 2,282	I always take the old part with me to the parts store. They can't argue with fact.

12-30-2003, 09:54 PM	#8
dropped_71chevy Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Northern Colorado Posts: 198	I took the core, she still felt like arguing. I would have loved to order a core from someone that knows but then again it would have taken a week longer to get a core, its the middle of winter in Wyoming, I'm not going without heat. Its good to restoration parts online but I'm not gonna wait however long for something mechanical

12-31-2003, 01:42 AM	#9
gr8scott51 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bremerton, WA Posts: 1,839	I hear ya.. ..but I had no way of knowing where you're located by your signature. There are so many vendors on the front page of this board, there may be someone nearby. Like I said, glad things worked out okay. Scott __________________ Silence is golden, duct tape is silver. - Scott

12-31-2003, 02:31 AM	#10
tomsC10R Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 281	Haystack, Thanks for the warning __________________ Tom 1968 C10 LWB. 402 BB, Holley MPI, 700R4. 4wheel Hydroboost Disk Brakes.



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