Failed heater core- '67 Barracuda small block, no A/C.

The heater core failed today in my trusty '67 Barracuda. Darn thing only lasted 52+ years! Sopping up the mess now.

The car is a small block without factory A/C. My factory service manual's procedure for replacing the core only covers cars with factory A/C. It looks like the procedure would be much simpler in my car, but before I dig into it, I'll ask. Has anyone replaced a heater core in a non-A/C Gen 2 Barracuda/Valiant?

While I wait for parts, I'll bypass the heater core so I can keep driving the car. Never drive it in cold weather anyway.

yarcraft91 said:

The heater core failed today in my trusty '67 Barracuda. Darn thing only lasted 52+ years! Sopping up the mess now.

The car is a small block without factory A/C. My factory service manual's procedure for replacing the core only covers cars with factory A/C. It looks like the procedure would be much simpler in my car, but before I dig into it, I'll ask. Has anyone replaced a heater core in a non-A/C Gen 2 Barracuda/Valiant?

While I wait for parts, I'll bypass the heater core so I can keep driving the car. Never drive it in cold weather anyway.

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Yes, it's possible to replace the heater core without removing the dash... It can be a little tough, but it can be done...

There are about 5 studs that you can remove the nuts from the engine compartment that hold the duct work in... Then there is another "J-hook" that is in the vent door on the passenger side that you have to remove the small bolt to... Then remove the defrost hoses and the cables from the heater box that control the doors and I believe then you can try to get the ducts out from under the dash... be patient and careful..

Once the ducts are out of the car, then remove the metal clips that go around the seam for the two halves of the ducts... Then you can remove the heater core... Be careful installing the new heater core as I have found that the tubes may not be bent the same as the originals and may interfere with the duct box... Don't force it in as you can crack the box, if need be, grind some away for the tubes to fit and the heater core to sit back in it's nest...

While you are in there, you may as well replace the foam as it's pretty old and brittle... Go to a home improvement/hardware store and buy some generic foam to replace the old worn out foam... Make sure to replace the foam around the heater core so no air leaks around it for best heater performance...

Then carefully put the heater box back together and wrestle it back into position under the dash while trying to line up the studs with the holes in the firewall... Then install the long J-hook in the vent door and just start the bolt before securing the nuts on the studs in the firewall... Reinstall the cables from the control unit on the ducts but be careful when installing and removing those metal clips for them so you don't break anything - they can be tricky/difficult sometimes... After the ducts are in and the cables are on, then put the defrost vent hoses back on... If there's anything that I forgot to mention, hook that back up also...

Good luck...

The original heater core went out in my 67 dart after about 40 years. Should of re cored the original one, on my 3rd parts store heater core at the moment. None of the parts store ones had the same look and fitment as the original, and I have tried different brands.

Get old one recored. Do a search on here, quite a few members squawking about how new ones dont fit.
If I were to get a new one(and we did) for our 67 cuda, it's only copper pipe.....plumbing 101.

While you have it out get a rebuild kit from Detroit Muscle. Very high quality stuff and reasonable price.

Thanks, folks! It sounds like the aftermarket heater cores may not be worth installing. Maybe I can track down NOS.

Glenn Ray radiator will recore your original. Excellent workmanship.

Take it to rad shop, they can redo your old one.

billccm said:

Glenn Ray radiator will recore your original. Excellent workmanship.

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+1, has done 2 radiators, 2 heater cores and about to send another heater core and radiator for the wife Dart.

Its not that hard, the fact that you dont have AC makes it even more easy, just remember there is a J bolt that is inside where the air box door opens and unhook that. Everything else un bolts from the engine bay, you dont have to unhook the lines to the heater boxes switch but do disconnect the electrical connectors to box, also remove the seat for ease of comfort. i did this to my 67 on my lunch break in the parking lot at work. Oriellys sells new aluminum cores i believe its the Murray brand direct fit! Good Luck!

I did mine in my 64 Valiant in about an hour. That included me making replacement gaskets and the seal that seals the fresh air door to the cowl. If I didn't have to do any of that, it would have literally been a 20 minute job. And the early cars are smaller than the later ones with less room.