Bad Heater Core...Again

[Mark W.]

In Feb '05, I had a leaking heater core in my '66 and received some great step-by-step instructions from NCRS member,Dave Wolf. I have since sent Dave's instructions to several other members needing to replace their C2 heater core. Well, less than 2 years have gone by and I think I need to replace it again. I drove my car to work this morning and since it was about 30 degrees here in Colorado Springs, I turned on the defroster. Almost immediately, I saw vapors coming out of the windshield area vent and I could smell anti-freeze. I turned it off and when I got to work, I checked the carpet and firewall area and neither had any apparant anti-freeze leaks or stains. I have 2 questions. First, is my relatively new heater core shot? and second, where is the best place to buy a heater core that lasts more than a couple years?

[Joe L.]

Re: Bad Heater Core...Again

Mark-----

It sounds pretty much like it might be gone. 2 years is a very short life for a heater core, though. However, if there has been any "tugging" or pressure applied to the heater core inlet and outlet fittings, that will shorten the life considerably. That sort of damage is repairable, but you still have to take the core out. Once you've done that, you might as well replace it. So, either way, you'll probably need to replace it.

As to your second question, I wish I had an answer. I've been searching for a "bullet-proof" heater core for years and I've yet to find one. I believe that most of the product out there today is manufactured by one, or perhaps 2, manufacfturing sources regardless of how it's packaged or labeled. DELPHI/Harrison does not manufacture these cores anymore and has not for many years. All of the cores on the market that I've been able to find have been made in Mexico.

I have been told that there are some high quality heater cores that are currently manufactured in Canada. However, I've never been able to ascertain if this source makes them for Corvettes. In fact, I contacted Superior Industries, a Canadian manufacturer of heater cores, fuel tanks, and other automotive parts to determine if they manufactured them. They informed me that they did not. So, if there is another Canadian manufacturing source for Corvette heater cores, I don't know what it is.