Heater Core - Best Brand - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

k5hart · 10-19-2010, 05:48 PM

I know I've read on here that some of the foreign made replacement heater cores don't fit correctly due to the pipe locations. What brand has everyone had success with and where did you purchase it? I don't care about price as much as I do a good product that fits. Have to replace the one in my Blazer now that it's cold. Turned into a water faucet this summer.

**john** · 10-19-2010, 06:03 PM

I would buy from a board vendor who specializes in our trucks rather a parts house.

HOGDADDY · 10-19-2010, 06:28 PM

I got one at NAPA it fit perfect.

71meangreenc10 · 10-19-2010, 06:40 PM

I have had no problems with any, just make sure you get all the metal solder out.

Smitty

72freak · 10-19-2010, 07:34 PM

I just got one from Oreilly's for $21 and it was a perfect fit.

k5hart · 10-20-2010, 07:40 PM

Thanks everyone. Maybe I'll try the Napa. If it doesn't fit I'll take it back and order from a board vendor. I would like to do it this weekend if my luck holds out.

Anything I should look out for when doing this job?

HOGDADDY · 10-20-2010, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k5hart

Thanks everyone. Maybe I'll try the Napa. If it doesn't fit I'll take it back and order from a board vendor. I would like to do it this weekend if my luck holds out.

Anything I should look out for when doing this job?

Yea be sure and carefully remove the roll pin from this first before disassembling box or you will break it.

It may be already broke lots are.

http://www.classicparts.com/1983-85-...ctinfo/68-248/

k5hart · 10-23-2010, 03:43 PM

Well I just got my core out. Opened the box with the core I got from O'Reilys (Mexico) and not only are the tubes not in the right spot but the solder on one tube is already cracked. JUNK! I should have known better. Oh well.

k5hart · 10-31-2010, 03:38 PM

Well. Napa is a fail too. The tubes are just enough too long that I can't get the heater box back in the truck. The box is hitting the dash before I can get the heater core tubes through the firewall. I've tried every angle and way and it isn't going. Construction quality of the core is very good. I will give them that.

I am going to say it now.....some of you told me so. I'm buying from a vendor on here that knows they work. Those that got parts house cores in you lucked out I guess. Very frustrated.

sameyrasmea72 · 10-31-2010, 04:04 PM

I have a lot of parts trucks, so i took several to the radiator shop and had them pressure check the original (Harrison) ones. A couple of them were very good and if you keep the right mixture in there they should last another 40 years.

k5hart · 10-31-2010, 04:56 PM

That brings up a good question. Can a radiator shop refurbish heat cores? I think mine is leaking out of the fins somewhere but not sure. Mine is also the Harrison original.

Sport/Truck · 10-31-2010, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k5hart

That brings up a good question. Can a radiator shop refurbish heat cores? I think mine is leaking out of the fins somewhere but not sure. Mine is also the Harrison original.

Yes they can and they'll be able to pressure test too.
I hand mine cleaned and just reinstalled it.
I used Gibbs oil on the heater box and it looks like new! Click for link.
No it's not collecting dust like you'd think (it's dries and leaves no oil residue), I also have a small amount of dirt road I drive down when I take the truck out.

s/t

k5hart · 10-31-2010, 09:39 PM

Thanks Sport. That's some good info. I started another post asking if any board vendors sell new cores that they know will fit. I'll see what I get from that. I would have to look around for a radiator shop if I go that route.

I was going to ask later about cleaning up the boxes. Where do you get Gibbs oil? It makes them look great.

Sport/Truck · 10-31-2010, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k5hart

Thanks Sport. That's some good info. I started another post asking if any board vendors sell new cores that they know will fit. I'll see what I get from that. I would have to look around for a radiator shop if I go that route.

I was going to ask later about cleaning up the boxes. Where do you get Gibbs oil? It makes them look great.

I'm only able to get it mail order. This is the most impressive sites for what the oil can do.
http://www.roadsters.com/gibbs/

If you google Gibbs Penetrating Oil you'll find all the people who sell it.
I usually get a couple of guys to go in on a few cans to bring the cost down.
This one seems the best deal. http://threepeaksproducts.com/products/gibbslube/

The Harris brand is the original for our trucks, and I think you still can get them.
s/t

k5hart · 11-01-2010, 07:27 AM

I'll probably pick up some oil. Thanks.

I would buy a Harrison (or EXACT copy) in a second! I couldn't find them for sale anywhere.

Sport/Truck · 11-01-2010, 11:00 PM

Give Wes a call at Classic Heartbeat. He has contacts everywhere. You might try the dealer too.

greenbd71 · 11-02-2010, 12:01 AM

I have the original Harrison. I took it out to clean it....then Por-15'd around all the copper metal to give it a little extra protection and help prevent leaks...I hope. But still works great.

k5hart · 11-02-2010, 06:41 AM

Wes! Good call. I completed forgot about him for some reason. I'll try him out. I'll try out the dealer too. Ours doesn't like looking up old parts usually though. I may also have a lead on a good used one locally.

10-19-2010, 05:48 PM	#1
k5hart Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Charleston, South Carolina Posts: 1,370	Heater Core - Best Brand I know I've read on here that some of the foreign made replacement heater cores don't fit correctly due to the pipe locations. What brand has everyone had success with and where did you purchase it? I don't care about price as much as I do a good product that fits. Have to replace the one in my Blazer now that it's cold. Turned into a water faucet this summer. __________________ 2006 Silverado CCSB, 1939 Ford Sedan, 1962 BelAir Wagon, 1976 Vega Panel Charleston, South Carolina

10-19-2010, 06:03 PM	#2
john member #16 Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Yuba City Ca. Posts: 3,618	Re: Heater Core - Best Brand I would buy from a board vendor who specializes in our trucks rather a parts house. __________________ john http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showgroups.php board vendors http://www.flickr.com/photos/1745471...7602865984234/

10-19-2010, 06:28 PM	#3
HOGDADDY Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 661	Re: Heater Core - Best Brand I got one at NAPA it fit perfect.

10-19-2010, 06:40 PM	#4
71meangreenc10 Its a Truck Thing...... Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sierra Vista, Arizona Posts: 3,179	Re: Heater Core - Best Brand I have had no problems with any, just make sure you get all the metal solder out. Smitty __________________ 71 C10 283/3SPD Full Resto 71 GMC 1500 Sierra Grande http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=518599 70 C10 Suburban Former military GSA truck. 72 Chevy Blazer 4X4, Sloppy Jo, Mountain Climber. Wife says no more trucks. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=707378 72 GMC 1 Ton Motor Home, wife said no more trucks until she saw this one. Gen 3 6.0/4L80E 4.10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=761110 68 GMC Suburban was 3/4 ton, now 1/2.Wife shook her head 71 C30 Wrecker 71 C20 Scott-Bilt As weird as it gets..BB Cheyenne AC Truck 68 GMC Long Stepside. They keep following me home 69 C30 Former Motor Home, Flat Bed time 70 G20 Red-E-Kamp Conversion "I'm your Boogy Van"

10-19-2010, 07:34 PM	#5
72freak Rottenwood Garage Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Marietta, Georgia Posts: 4,321	Re: Heater Core - Best Brand I just got one from Oreilly's for $21 and it was a perfect fit. __________________ 2004 Chevrolet Suburban C1500 2001 Chevrolet 2500HD Crew 6.0 1999 Harley Davidson Electra Glide 1972 Chevrolet C-20 Custom Camper "Dump Truck" 1972 Chevrolet C-20 Suburban "Big Green" 1969 Chevrolet C-50 Wedge Hauler "Leonidis" 1966 C-10 2x4 short fleet 327 4 speed "Race Truck" 1952 Plymouth Cranbrook "Rican" (my grandfathers) 1931 Ford Model A Coupe "Black Beauty" 1930 Ford Model A truck "Club Cab" 4x4 Rottenwood Garage and Speed Shop.....where everything must be racy! *It's not just a hobby..It's a LIFESTYLE!!!* Thanks for nothing Barrett-Jackson You cant fix stupid or teach accountability! Time wasters, looky Lous and tire kickers are everywhere! Last edited by 72freak; 10-19-2010 at 07:34 PM.

10-20-2010, 07:40 PM	#6
k5hart Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Charleston, South Carolina Posts: 1,370	Re: Heater Core - Best Brand Thanks everyone. Maybe I'll try the Napa. If it doesn't fit I'll take it back and order from a board vendor. I would like to do it this weekend if my luck holds out. Anything I should look out for when doing this job? __________________ 2006 Silverado CCSB, 1939 Ford Sedan, 1962 BelAir Wagon, 1976 Vega Panel Charleston, South Carolina

10-23-2010, 03:43 PM	#8
k5hart Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Charleston, South Carolina Posts: 1,370	Re: Heater Core - Best Brand Well I just got my core out. Opened the box with the core I got from O'Reilys (Mexico) and not only are the tubes not in the right spot but the solder on one tube is already cracked. JUNK! I should have known better. Oh well. __________________ 2006 Silverado CCSB, 1939 Ford Sedan, 1962 BelAir Wagon, 1976 Vega Panel Charleston, South Carolina

10-31-2010, 03:38 PM	#9
k5hart Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Charleston, South Carolina Posts: 1,370	Re: Heater Core - Best Brand Well. Napa is a fail too. The tubes are just enough too long that I can't get the heater box back in the truck. The box is hitting the dash before I can get the heater core tubes through the firewall. I've tried every angle and way and it isn't going. Construction quality of the core is very good. I will give them that. I am going to say it now.....some of you told me so. I'm buying from a vendor on here that knows they work. Those that got parts house cores in you lucked out I guess. Very frustrated. __________________ 2006 Silverado CCSB, 1939 Ford Sedan, 1962 BelAir Wagon, 1976 Vega Panel Charleston, South Carolina

10-31-2010, 04:04 PM	#10
sameyrasmea72 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 2,443	Re: Heater Core - Best Brand I have a lot of parts trucks, so i took several to the radiator shop and had them pressure check the original (Harrison) ones. A couple of them were very good and if you keep the right mixture in there they should last another 40 years. __________________ 72 Cheyenne Super 80 Silverado Blazer 2wd

10-31-2010, 04:56 PM	#11
k5hart Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Charleston, South Carolina Posts: 1,370	Re: Heater Core - Best Brand That brings up a good question. Can a radiator shop refurbish heat cores? I think mine is leaking out of the fins somewhere but not sure. Mine is also the Harrison original. __________________ 2006 Silverado CCSB, 1939 Ford Sedan, 1962 BelAir Wagon, 1976 Vega Panel Charleston, South Carolina Last edited by k5hart; 10-31-2010 at 04:57 PM.

10-31-2010, 09:39 PM	#13
k5hart Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Charleston, South Carolina Posts: 1,370	Re: Heater Core - Best Brand Thanks Sport. That's some good info. I started another post asking if any board vendors sell new cores that they know will fit. I'll see what I get from that. I would have to look around for a radiator shop if I go that route. I was going to ask later about cleaning up the boxes. Where do you get Gibbs oil? It makes them look great. __________________ 2006 Silverado CCSB, 1939 Ford Sedan, 1962 BelAir Wagon, 1976 Vega Panel Charleston, South Carolina

11-01-2010, 07:27 AM	#15
k5hart Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Charleston, South Carolina Posts: 1,370	Re: Heater Core - Best Brand I'll probably pick up some oil. Thanks. I would buy a Harrison (or EXACT copy) in a second! I couldn't find them for sale anywhere. __________________ 2006 Silverado CCSB, 1939 Ford Sedan, 1962 BelAir Wagon, 1976 Vega Panel Charleston, South Carolina

11-01-2010, 11:00 PM	#16
Sport/Truck Sierra Grande Club Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Mexico USA Posts: 2,433	Re: Heater Core - Best Brand Give Wes a call at Classic Heartbeat. He has contacts everywhere. You might try the dealer too. __________________ 1971 GMC Sierra Grande, 1/2 ton short wide, original 4 bolt 010 020 block & heads. (matching #'s). 383 stroker, SMI q jet 750 cfm, Lunati Voodoo 60102 cam, Scorpion roller rockers, Spin Tech pro street mufflers with X pipe.

11-02-2010, 12:01 AM	#17
greenbd71 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Long Beach,CA Posts: 134	Re: Heater Core - Best Brand I have the original Harrison. I took it out to clean it....then Por-15'd around all the copper metal to give it a little extra protection and help prevent leaks...I hope. But still works great.

11-02-2010, 06:41 AM	#18
k5hart Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Charleston, South Carolina Posts: 1,370	Re: Heater Core - Best Brand Wes! Good call. I completed forgot about him for some reason. I'll try him out. I'll try out the dealer too. Ours doesn't like looking up old parts usually though. I may also have a lead on a good used one locally. __________________ 2006 Silverado CCSB, 1939 Ford Sedan, 1962 BelAir Wagon, 1976 Vega Panel Charleston, South Carolina



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