I need to replace my heater core, does anyone know where I can get one inexpensively, and how do I go about replacing it?

You should be able to get one at any radiator shop. The repro houses have em, but probably more expensive. Relacement's a PITA. The inner heater box that houses the core has 6 studs that penetrate and sandwich the firewall, and go though the outer heater box in the engine compartment.

can it be done from the inside of the vehicle or do I have to take the fender and a/c box off?

ctrghtous,

I am in the process of replacing mine right now. Fortunatley for me, the guy that sold me the car had already gotten a core for me. I think that there are two types of cores, one for a big block and one for a small block. one has two small hose connectors and the other has one small and one large hose connector. I don't know which is which but I have a 327 SB and the guy had purchase the one with the large and small hose connector if that helps.

The main reason why I am posting to this thread though is two fold. I thought that I might point out that you can do the entire job from within your car except for removing the bolts that hold your heater box to the firewall. The only thing that will be more involved and may not be necessary is if you have to change the fan which will require you to remove your right fender (if you are driving a 67, I don't know about the rest).

I just popped the box off inside the passenger compartment and it was really easy. Once I got my box off though I realized that my box was quite rusty and so I took my Dremel to it with a wire brush and started cleaning it out. I also replaced the heater resistor that was in the box since mine looked to be the original. I got some semi-flat black paint and have painted it inside and out and have cleaned up all of the screws and bolts. I also purchased a heater box seal pack so that I could seal the holes around the core to the firewall as much as possible and I got a bunch of other seals too.

I was wondering if anyone has seen any visual diagram showing where all of these seals might go. I hate to think that I got a pack of 12 seals and can only use one.

Bottom line, while you are in there, you might as well clean it up a bit and replace everything you can that needs replacing like seals and any rusty screws and a little fresh paint.

Cheers and I am looking forward to any visual tips regarding the seal question.

Thanks in advance....

- Dog Out...

Oh yeah, I got the receipt with my core and it was 52 dollars which is not that much.

I have just replaced my heater core and let me tell you, your in to some pita labour. I have an air car also and to get to the lower hose, it is like fu((((((((((((((((( well i dont have to tell you, im sure you know. The best way to do it is to have the fender out, but it can be done without taking the fender off. You have to jack the car up high and get to the bottom hose with a long screwdriver and a crowbar. Dont worry about breaking the neck off, u'll change the core anyways. The lower hose is the 5/8 hose. Good luck trying to get the 5/8 back in there, WHat i have done in the past is use a 3/4 hose, put your clamps snag on the hose and get it on there. It will be sloppy, but dont worry, it will not leak once you tighten it. Half way up the hose, put a T-connecter and change the size of the hose back to 5/8. If you do take the fender off, it is easy to change it. WHile you have your fender off, change your heater motor also. By the time you finish with it, you will look like you had stuck your hands inside a bag with a cat in it. Good luck. Nick

Can you run the heater hose through the fire wall to the inside of the car, then attacth it to the heater core inside the car, then slide the heater core back in place?

Regarding the seal kit...

I think I just bought the same one. I laid them out and matched them up as best as I could. Some of them attach to the flaps inside the inner box. There's no way to replace them without cutting the box apart, being that its a welded assembly. Others fit between the defroster duct and the dash. I also think it the same seal kit for AC cars since one of them appears to fit around the AC lines.

Originally posted by kencar69:
Can you run the heater hose through the fire wall to the inside of the car, then attacth it to the heater core inside the car, then slide the heater core back in place? I don't know if the hose it will go through the hole?good idea!! maybe you can file the hole to get the hose through.Nick

If the old hose is stuck and hard to get off, use a razor knife and cut the hose lenghwise at the joint. Then peel it off circumferentially.
To get the new hose to slide on easily, put some dish soap on the inside at the end.

Well when I get to that point I will let you know if it works or not, that is if hose will fit through firewall.

although my car was a non ac car, when i changed out mine, the one thing i noticed was all aftermarket cores are thinner, and make for a very poor fit. the tabs that hold them in need to be tweaked to even function somewhat. this also makes re-installation more of a pia, i'm sure.
what i did was went to a radiator shop, took them the old core, and they bought a random core with the same dimensions, and put my ends on it. it was a perfect fit. it only cost me about 65$, so not much more than a poor fitting replacement piece.
just something to consider.

The hose will not fit through the hole. Cores made in USA fit nicely.

One suggestion to fill the void in thickness, measure the amount needed and visit Lowes or Home Depot for a section of alum square tubing to fit.

everett, where did you find a core that fit nicely? i went to napa, schmucks(checker kragen), and a couple other local places. even the shop that did my core looked up thier replacement (american made) and it measured something in the neighborhood of 1/2" too thin, same as the rest. he speculated it was likely due to making them fit so many applications. i always look for made in usa goods, but nothing i found was near as good of a fit as the factory one, or the one i had made.
just curious.

I just replaced my heater core in my 68'. I ordered mine from "Classic Industries". It was the same size and fit.

I just took my core to be repair, the guy told me it was rotten. He got me a new one, exactly the same core in a GM box for $54.00, that even included tax. I bought the seal kit from Rick's and there were instructions telling where each seal went. Like someone said, there were a couple that couldn't be changed without opening up the heater box. The ones I didn't replace, didn't look bad.

TZ