Heater core: New or redo old one? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

saxart · 09-21-2016, 10:18 PM

I'm curious to hear any experience you guys have between buying a new heater core vs having an old one cleaned up at a radiator shop. Mine is leaking, and I have a spare also, but assume it leaks as well. What's the prevailing wisdom here?
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66clow · 09-21-2016, 10:35 PM

New ones are pretty cheap I'd just replace it.

jmking9 · 09-21-2016, 10:39 PM

Get the original one fixed. My experience with the new ones is that they don't fit very well. And the quality is pretty bad. But thats just my .02

In The Ten Ring · 09-21-2016, 11:14 PM

Get the old one fixed if you can. It was made during a time when makers made things of thicker metals. The copper back then was "virgin" too, meaning it hadn't been once something else and then melted down and reused.

I tried to get my heater core repaired but the leak was too severe. The radiator shop found me a copper replacement that fit pretty well. I kept my original and maybe I can have it recored when I have the funds.

I even plan to get my original radiator recored when I have the funds...I want to keep my truck as original as I can.

Assuming that you must replace yours, I suspect you can find a copper/brass one as I did. I think Classic Industries carries those in their catalog. I have read on this forum that the aluminum replacement heater cores may or may not fit.

davepl · 09-22-2016, 12:25 PM

If you can, get the original done - the repros are thinner. Problem is a few people who have brought this up in the past have said that they were unable to get them recored.

I guess they could still boil it out and resolder it, though. You'd hope anyway!

hdff · 09-22-2016, 01:05 PM

Recore the old one. It is 2 1/2 " and new ones are 2" and have to be shimmed to fit correctly

In The Ten Ring · 09-22-2016, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davepl

If you can, get the original done - the repros are thinner. Problem is a few people who have brought this up in the past have said that they were unable to get them recored.

I guess they could still boil it out and resolder it, though. You'd hope anyway!

I tried to get my original's leak fixed and the company did try, but it kept failing the pressure tests.

1968aj · 09-22-2016, 01:28 PM

as much trouble as they are to remove I would put a new one in. I would not trust a 40 something year old repaired one. I just put a new one in a truck and it fits just fine.

saxart · 09-22-2016, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1968aj

as much trouble as they are to remove I would put a new one in. I would not trust a 40 something year old repaired one. I just put a new one in a truck and it fits just fine.

1968-
Where did you get this one that fits? I've been reading that most new ones are smaller...

**leddzepp** · 09-22-2016, 08:59 PM

Replace it. I did years ago and never looked back. I don't recall if it needed shimming, if it did it's no big deal.

Acorn · 09-22-2016, 09:11 PM

If the leak can be repaired, do it!
I was at a radiator shop last month and was talking to the owner who has been in business for 30+ years about the four heater cores I have that need new 2 1/2 inch cores. He said he can defiantly repair them if he could just get the cores. He said that the problem is that all the suppliers have stopped making the bigger cores. Everyone just wants to deal in cheaper mass produced junk.
It's sad to see that radiator shops are becoming a dying breed.

**71CHEVYSHORTBED402** · 09-22-2016, 09:22 PM

Unless a restoration is possible, I think I'll just reinstall my old one. About 45K on it, though 25 years. On the plus side the system is very clean. Since I can remember I've always used distilled water, less one recent flush.

davepl · 09-23-2016, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402

Unless a restoration is possible, I think I'll just reinstall my old one. About 45K on it, though 25 years. On the plus side the system is very clean. Since I can remember I've always used distilled water, less one recent flush.

Ever replaced one in the truck? They're no fun, put in whatever you think has the best odds of living the longest time!

1968aj · 09-23-2016, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saxart

1968-
Where did you get this one that fits? I've been reading that most new ones are smaller...

I got mine at napa. I don't remember part number. I took old one with me and matched it up.

Jarvis-69 GMC 1500CK · 09-23-2016, 01:08 PM

My Repro fit well and does not seem too much lighter then the orig. IDK how it works yet, I am a call center employee so cannot handle taking off that steel hood the size of texas myself to put the assembly back on (drove it without the assembly for a few months through the summer, just bypassed the lines)! lol

But one thing is for sure I am going to be putting it to the test, Northern Sask and it is my daily driver lol

09-21-2016, 10:18 PM	#1
saxart Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: St. Croix River Valley, WI Posts: 795	Heater core: New or redo old one? I'm curious to hear any experience you guys have between buying a new heater core vs having an old one cleaned up at a radiator shop. Mine is leaking, and I have a spare also, but assume it leaks as well. What's the prevailing wisdom here? Posted via Mobile Device

09-21-2016, 10:35 PM	#2
66clow Registered User Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Clearwater Beach Florida Posts: 872	Re: Heater core: New or redo old one? New ones are pretty cheap I'd just replace it.

09-21-2016, 10:39 PM	#3
jmking9 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Riverton KS Posts: 832	Re: Heater core: New or redo old one? Get the original one fixed. My experience with the new ones is that they don't fit very well. And the quality is pretty bad. But thats just my .02 __________________ 1970 SWB Build

09-21-2016, 11:14 PM	#4
In The Ten Ring Registered User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: West Virginia Posts: 6,421	Re: Heater core: New or redo old one? Get the old one fixed if you can. It was made during a time when makers made things of thicker metals. The copper back then was "virgin" too, meaning it hadn't been once something else and then melted down and reused. I tried to get my heater core repaired but the leak was too severe. The radiator shop found me a copper replacement that fit pretty well. I kept my original and maybe I can have it recored when I have the funds. I even plan to get my original radiator recored when I have the funds...I want to keep my truck as original as I can. Assuming that you must replace yours, I suspect you can find a copper/brass one as I did. I think Classic Industries carries those in their catalog. I have read on this forum that the aluminum replacement heater cores may or may not fit.

09-22-2016, 12:25 PM	#5
davepl Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 6,332	Re: Heater core: New or redo old one? If you can, get the original done - the repros are thinner. Problem is a few people who have brought this up in the past have said that they were unable to get them recored. I guess they could still boil it out and resolder it, though. You'd hope anyway! __________________ 1970 GMC Sierra Grande Custom Camper - Built, not Bought 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Coupe 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Convertible

09-22-2016, 01:05 PM	#6
hdff Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: pasadena,TEXAS Posts: 880	Re: Heater core: New or redo old one? Recore the old one. It is 2 1/2 " and new ones are 2" and have to be shimmed to fit correctly __________________ 1971 Cheyenne SWB 402BB, 700R4, 3.73 posi, PS, PB, A/C, Tilt, Tach "Wanda" Don't argue with idiots, People watching may not be able to tell the difference... There's someone in my head........But it's not me...... cheap tricks thread great info here!! http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=489394

09-22-2016, 01:28 PM	#8
1968aj Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: houston texas Posts: 1,438	Re: Heater core: New or redo old one? as much trouble as they are to remove I would put a new one in. I would not trust a 40 something year old repaired one. I just put a new one in a truck and it fits just fine.

09-22-2016, 08:59 PM	#10
leddzepp Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Cal Posts: 20,006	Re: Heater core: New or redo old one? Replace it. I did years ago and never looked back. I don't recall if it needed shimming, if it did it's no big deal. __________________ 1972 C/10 Cheyenne Super SWB. Restored, loaded, slammed. 1968 C/10 50th Anniversary LWB. Unrestored, stock, daily driver/work truck. RIP ElJay RIP 67ChevyRedneck RIP Grumpy Old Man

09-22-2016, 09:11 PM	#11
Acorn Registered User Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Winnsboro Texas Posts: 367	Re: Heater core: New or redo old one? If the leak can be repaired, do it! I was at a radiator shop last month and was talking to the owner who has been in business for 30+ years about the four heater cores I have that need new 2 1/2 inch cores. He said he can defiantly repair them if he could just get the cores. He said that the problem is that all the suppliers have stopped making the bigger cores. Everyone just wants to deal in cheaper mass produced junk. It's sad to see that radiator shops are becoming a dying breed. __________________ The bitterness of poor quality lingers long after the sweetness of a low price is forgotten.

09-22-2016, 09:22 PM	#12
71CHEVYSHORTBED402 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern Nevada Posts: 7,249	Re: Heater core: New or redo old one? Unless a restoration is possible, I think I'll just reinstall my old one. About 45K on it, though 25 years. On the plus side the system is very clean. Since I can remember I've always used distilled water, less one recent flush. __________________ Tony 71 Custom Deluxe, SWB, 2WD, 402, A/C. I developed an assembly kit for restoring the (a) truck from the ground up. My build thread, and more on the assembly kit https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=730025

09-23-2016, 01:08 PM	#15
Jarvis-69 GMC 1500CK Registered User Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: North Sask, Canada Posts: 84	Re: Heater core: New or redo old one? My Repro fit well and does not seem too much lighter then the orig. IDK how it works yet, I am a call center employee so cannot handle taking off that steel hood the size of texas myself to put the assembly back on (drove it without the assembly for a few months through the summer, just bypassed the lines)! lol But one thing is for sure I am going to be putting it to the test, Northern Sask and it is my daily driver lol



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