1963 Dart L6 Heater Core

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gage zamrzla

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Looking to get heat rolling through the cab finally and took my heater core to a local radiator repair shop and I'm quoted just over $200, saying there are two leaks and the core itself needs to basically be swapped out.

I've tried looking around online and haven't been able to find anything that's a confirmed match and it's my understanding that the firewall on the 63 is different from 64 onward so I need a very year specific heater core yes? Called the good local auto parts store and got a part number of 98503 but can't seem to get anything from them or available online.

I guess I'm wondering is $200 for a new heater core not bad considering I can't seem to find a more cost effective option locally or online. If anyone knows where I can get one for under $200 I'd be all about it but at this point I want to be able to thaw my windows and order new carpet already and just getting the risk of a leak out of the way is a bit more of a priority than saving 50 or so bucks.


Thanks
 
DO it yourself. It has only FOUR nuts holding it in with a couple of cables to disconnect. I had my heater box out in less then 15 minutes, cleaned up re-gasketed core replaced and back in in well under an hour and I'm a retired and disabled wore out turd. For 200 bucks, they're bending you over the desk without a kiss.
 
DO it yourself. It has only FOUR nuts holding it in with a couple of cables to disconnect. I had my heater box out in less then 15 minutes, cleaned up re-gasketed core replaced and back in in well under an hour and I'm a retired and disabled wore out turd. For 200 bucks, they're bending you over the desk without a kiss.
I already have the whole heater core out but I'm not finding a core replacement available online or at local part stores.

Could you direct me to a core I could purchase online to change it out? I'm having no luck in searching the # online, everywhere seems to be sold out or not available.
 
I already have the whole heater core out but I'm not finding a core replacement available online or at local part stores.

Could you direct me to a core I could purchase online to change it out? I'm having no luck in searching the # online, everywhere seems to be sold out or not available.

Murray #94503 is OReilly's part number and my local store can have it tomorrow morning, so yours is likely the same. Price I'm showing is $39.99
 
Appreciate it man. Guess I was searching incorrect terms, first time messing with heating in any capacity. Thanks again.

Not a problem. They're getting hard to find. Only a few on eBay and Rock Auto has none. I'd get two if I were you. In fact, I'm going into town anyway and will probably order one from my local O'Reilly even though mine is new.
 
Bumping an old thread here, in hopes of finding someone who can help me find a heater core for a 1963 Dart GT that's leaking. I see one on classic industries, but no way I'm paying $270 for a heater core. They'll be ripping off someone else on that one. FYI - I have no matches searching O'Reilly. Has anyone made a video of removing the box? I've never done it. Thanks!
 
I would call of visit a local O'Reilly's and ask they look up a Murray #94503. I used a link higher up in the thread to get mine but the site appears to no longer be up or is at least temporarily down. Either should be a fit for your application.

Tip for you too, I had to slightly modify the heater box holes on mine because the in and out lines on the heater core were just barely too off to bend through the firewall. Simply beveled the holes to open em up a little more and it went right through.

I'll look around and see if I can find another source for a core and post it here for you if I can find anything.
 
Video of the box removal (closest to our year I know of and I think it's the same box up through to the early 70's anyway)



Video of the rebuild process.



Link to the box rebuild kit I would recommend since you're already gonna have it all out anyway.
Mopar A Body 63-66 BASIC NON AC Heater Box Rebuild Restoration Seal Gasket Kit


Thanks. I have watched both those videos, didn't know if there were better ones. I have also already ordered that basic kit from DMT. The only reason I haven't dove in yet is I don't know for sure what I'm doing for a core. I'll check out that Murray 94503.
 
I would call of visit a local O'Reilly's and ask they look up a Murray #94503. I used a link higher up in the thread to get mine but the site appears to no longer be up or is at least temporarily down. Either should be a fit for your application.

Tip for you too, I had to slightly modify the heater box holes on mine because the in and out lines on the heater core were just barely too off to bend through the firewall. Simply beveled the holes to open em up a little more and it went right through.

I'll look around and see if I can find another source for a core and post it here for you if I can find anything.

That is the same number that the Spectra Premium one I found. Actually in stock according to amazon. I believe you're saying that core should work.
 
Just talked to Oreillys. About 10 day wait. $49 plus some shipping. Sounds like for under $60 I can have a core here in a couple weeks. That's about $90 less than Amazon is asking for the spectra premium 94503. I think I'm going to order this core. Thanks for all the help.
 
Just some random food for thought, it's been my experience that vendors often list parts for 64-66 and leave the 63 out as it's kind of an odd duck being a transition year and the vendors were uncertain. What works for the '64-'66 works for the '63. In fact I'm pretty sure I have a '65 core in my '63 right now.
As the years have passed it looks like vendors are catching up on this as I see the '63 being included more these days.

*Edit for clarification, this is my experience with the Valiant anyway, I do not know if the same situation exists for the Dart as well.
 
Just some random food for thought, it's been my experience that vendors often list parts for 64-66 and leave the 63 out as it's kind of an odd duck being a transition year and the vendors were uncertain. What works for the '64-'66 works for the '63. In fact I'm pretty sure I have a '65 core in my '63 right now.
As the years have passed it looks like vendors are catching up on this as I see the '63 being included more these days.

*Edit for clarification, this is my experience with the Valiant anyway, I do not know if the same situation exists for the Dart as well.
This but I think we all would agree do as much due diligence as possible to be sure. I'm not well versed in the Valiants not ever having one (but boy are they lookin more enticing each time I see one) but but as far as darts go some things just do not apply between those early years. Funny example that may be more immediately noticeable to some but the rear window on a '63 and '64 Dart, totally different, style trim and where they fit in, quite different, in addition to some firewall and especially bulkhead connecter differences. I personally prefer the '63 myself but man does that, "transitional year" cause some fuss when sourcing parts from time to time.
 
This but I think we all would agree do as much due diligence as possible to be sure. I'm not well versed in the Valiants not ever having one (but boy are they lookin more enticing each time I see one) but but as far as darts go some things just do not apply between those early years. Funny example that may be more immediately noticeable to some but the rear window on a '63 and '64 Dart, totally different, style trim and where they fit in, quite different, in addition to some firewall and especially bulkhead connecter differences. I personally prefer the '63 myself but man does that, "transitional year" cause some fuss when sourcing parts from time to time.

The Spectra 94503, or Murray 94503 if at O'Reillys, seems to be a good fit in my 63 heater box.

IMG_0435.JPG
 
I recall paying ~$22 for a new heater core for my 1965 Dart maybe 6 years ago. I got it before I needed it, probably an ebay deal. Re refreshing the heater box innards, search for my post repairing two 1964 and one 1965 boxes. The vary inside. I suspect the 1963 box is much different since there is a firewall bump which interferes with some engine swaps.
 
I recall paying ~$22 for a new heater core for my 1965 Dart maybe 6 years ago. I got it before I needed it, probably an ebay deal. Re refreshing the heater box innards, search for my post repairing two 1964 and one 1965 boxes. The vary inside. I suspect the 1963 box is much different since there is a firewall bump which interferes with some engine swaps.

That's because the wiper linkage and motors are different heater boxes should be completely the same controls and cables are different because they moved the controls to in dash on 64 and slider type controls I think in 66.
 
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