spectra premium non A/C heater core

[moparmat2000]

Hi Y'all,

I bought a spectra premium heater core for my 67 cuda. I got this at autozone a few years ago for $19.00 . Its all aluminum construction, and requires a little massaging on its mounting frame to make it fit well. On the flip side its about 2/3 lighter than the copper/brass one it replaces, and the cost i think is worth what little filing work you have to do with a die grinder and a brown roloc disc on the heater core frame to allow the frame drop inside the heater box housing.

Hope this helps
Matt

 

[4spdragtop]

Thanks Matt. Dad got one that came with the cuda when he bought it. Took minor trimming. ..not sure what make but no issues. I wonder if its the same Spectra that makes the gas tanks??

 

[moparmat2000]

Probably the same spectra if i had to guess.

I originally bought it via mail order online a couple years back. Only bothered to fit it to my heater box now. I opened the box when i got it, and it looked the same as the original copper/brass one. Amazing the weight difference between the 2. Even with the thick aluminum frame. Aluminum transfers heat better than copper/brass, so it should keep the cabin nice and toasty in the winter.

 

[moparmat2000]

Spectra pn is #94503

Current autozone price is $37.99

 

[BillGrissom]

Great. Make sure to use a coolant good for aluminum (most today). With traditional coolant, aluminum can corrode fast, which killed most of the early aluminum block slant sixes. A confusing number of coolants today. I just saw Autozone carries a new line for the latest mostly Jap engines - pink, blue, ... and in quarts since the price of a gallon would shock. I also saw a new "lifetime" coolant recently at Walmart, though didn't say it causes less corrosion. I started using Evans Waterless in most of my vehicles since corrosion has been painful and tedious, especially on my M-B that have ungodly parts prices plus difficult access (3 day job to change a heater core). I am still weighing its pros & cons, but no overheating yet.

 

[moparmat2000]

Yep, i have an aluminum radiator for it as well. The modern aluminum compatible antifreeze is all i use in my vehicles.

 

[jos51700]

Change your coolant every couple years, regardless. The water can evaporate through the hoses, throwing off the Chemistry.

 

[slantsixdan]

Great. Make sure to use a coolant good for aluminum (most today). With traditional coolant, aluminum can corrode fast, which killed most of the early aluminum block slant sixes.

What killed most of the aluminum slant-6s was that motorists were still in the habit of using antifreeze only in winter, and using straight water in the other three seasons. There was also a dumb habit of pouring random liquids into the cooling system, hence the explicit warnings in the owner's manuals to please, please, PLEASE use glycol-based coolant, please DON'T use alcohol-based coolant, and for the love of all that is holy DO NOT use any solutions based on honey, mineral oil, coffee, saltwater, or elephant piss.

A confusing number of coolants today.

Read this.