Rebuilding heater box, replace core?

Rebuilding heater box, replace core?

  • Aluminum

    Votes: 1 6.7%
  • Copper

    Votes: 10 66.7%
  • Reuse existing OEM (not leaking)

    Votes: 4 26.7%

  • Total voters
    15
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Dana67Dart

The parts you don't add don't cause you no trouble
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May be rebuilding my heater box in the next few months, current core is the OEM as far as I know, and is not leaking.

I know replacing it is a good preventive idea, but if the OEM core shows no signs of seepage or being plugged it seems like the older sturdy made one might be better to be kept.
 
I have replaced many leaking cores and have seen the damage done. Though new ones can leak, I would never use an old core on a "keeper".
 
I replaced mine with a used tested oe one then it started leaking 2 months later. Now I gotta pull it all out again. I'd go with a new aluminum one.
 
There are a lot of threads on here that talk about the repop ones not fitting fight.
 
I went through hell with mine. My original one was not leaking, but since I was rebuilding my heater box - AC too - I attempted TWO different aftermarket versions (one number started with "CR") and ended up getting mine tested at a rad shop and put her back in!
If those tubes are off from where they should be, you will STRUGGLE. They can be heated and corrected, but why do that on a NEW part you just bought?
 
Definitely rebuild or replace either way. Short money for good insurance.
 
I don’t drive mine when it is cold enough to need a heater. If that is you too, you could just block both heater hoses and not worry about it.
 
I would NOT put that old core back in no matter how good it looked. @Murray and @4spdragtop have given you good advice, and I agree. If you have a good radiator shop, I'd have them clean and rebuild it. You know it fits. Second option would be to get a new one. I put a new one in mine and it fit fine.
 
Where would one find a a new one for a 63 Dart? Not paying classic industries $270 for probably a Chinese one that doesn't fit. Mine is leaking. Can a radiator shop or Glen Ray fix these? Most people seem to be saying not to repair an old one and put in a new one. Thanks!
 
Where would one find a a new one for a 63 Dart? Not paying classic industries $270 for probably a Chinese one that doesn't fit. Mine is leaking. Can a radiator shop or Glen Ray fix these? Most people seem to be saying not to repair an old one and put in a new one. Thanks!
A rad shop can rebuild it ,i did that with mine
 
I hope you are sitting down when you hear he price of repair.

I just had a rad rodded out and the price was 3x what I had paid the last time (in the 80s)
 
I hope you are sitting down when you hear he price of repair.

I just had a rad rodded out and the price was 3x what I had paid the last time (in the 80s)

I will be. Nothing is cheap anymore. If it's nuts I may take a shot on the classic industries one anyway.
 
I had an aftermarket one in my car when I bought it. Didn’t fit right but looked like somebody “adjusted” it to fit marginally, so I left it.
 
Rad shop rebuild first. get a copper one if you can find one. If you need to 'tweak' it a little the aluminum tends to not give as much IMHO. I believe there is a texas manufacturer that makes copper stuff still. Unsure of name.
 
Cost me $400. to have a radiator shop recore my '72. Expensive, yes, but it fits and doesn't leak, and probably won't in my lifetime. Do yourself a favor, old style green antifreeze and reverse osmosis water at correct ratio. Distilled is next best water. Look it up if you are a Doubting Thomas.
 
Try the "heater box guy" for a heater core, good stuff and it fits right, thats all they do.
 
Cost me $400. to have a radiator shop recore my '72. Expensive, yes, but it fits and doesn't leak, and probably won't in my lifetime. Do yourself a favor, old style green antifreeze and reverse osmosis water at correct ratio. Distilled is next best water. Look it up if you are a Doubting Thomas.

I've always used old style green and distilled water in all my cars. I agree $400 isn't horrible if you only had to do it once.
 
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