Who makes AC Delco Heater cores? The answer .....

[Patrick B.]

I recently got a heater core sold with an AC Delco label with part number 52484057 printed on the label and the Delphi part number 15-60119 written on it in magic marker. It was made in Mexico which makes me happier than made in China. However, the only thing AC Delco about it was the label applied over the original label on the box. It had a little tag on the core with the number 398207 on it. I pulled the original label off the box with the AC label still on it. When I put it in front of a bright light, I could easily read the original label as shown in the last picture. It was a Ready-Aire 398207.


I saw these things being sold under the Delphi number for $175 and I bought this one from KMC autoparts on Ebay for $105. However, when I googled the Ready-Aire number, I found that Advance Auto sells them for less than $41. There is a lot of money to be made printing labels. Has anyone else bought an AC Delco heater core? Did it look like this one?




IMG_1125.jpgIMG_1128.jpgIMG_1127.jpgIMG_1129.jpg

[Wayne W.]

Re: Who makes AC Delco Heater cores? The answer .....

Welcome to todays world.

[David L.]

Re: Who makes AC Delco Heater cores? The answer .....

Patrick,

In 1995 I bought a heater core from my local Chevrolet years ago for my 1966 since my original core was leaking coolant. I disconnected the heater hoses back then with the intent of replacing the core with the new GM core but have yet to replace the old core.

The box has a Delco red,white, and blue label with a 3008574 part number, Gr. 8.854, Made in U.S.A. by Harrison Division GMC, Lockport, NY 14094. The box is dated 2/17/95 and the core has two ink date codes stamped on the end: "FEB 21 1995" and "APR 4 1995". One of these days I will install the new 19-year old heater core.

Dave

[Mike E.]

Re: Who makes AC Delco Heater cores? The answer .....

Patrick,

I posted these in your other thread. This one was purchased from Advanced Auto Parts for something like $35 after some coupon codes. It does look pretty similar to yours.











Mike

[Patrick B.]

Re: Who makes AC Delco Heater cores? The answer .....

Patrick,

I posted these in your other thread. This one was purchased from Advanced Auto Parts for something like $35 after some coupon codes. It does look pretty similar to yours.











Mike

I'd say its exactly the same. It has the same model number/part number on the tag, namely 0398207.

[David L.]

Re: Who makes AC Delco Heater cores? The answer .....

Here's my NORS heater core, GM # 3008574, made in 1995.
Dave

[Edward J.]

Re: Who makes AC Delco Heater cores? The answer .....

Pat, as you can see Delco is just a reboxer of auto parts today. and charges a prem. price. Not to say its not a quality product. But if you removed a original part Just put them on a scale and weight them then you see the difference. The pic Dave posted is likely around the time that Delco sold the parts Division, so its a real deal part.

[Jim T.]

Re: Who makes AC Delco Heater cores? The answer .....

Really hope your made in Mexico heater core gives you many years of service. I replaced my 1970's many years ago with a AC Delco. I have not had to change the 1968's yet which is the original factory installed heater core. I should have purchased a heater core for the 68 many years ago, did not know one day the heater cores would not of been USA made. The 68 and 70 have had coolant changes by me since they were new, the 70 has factory air and the 68 does not.

[David L.]

Re: Who makes AC Delco Heater cores? The answer .....

But if you removed a original part Just put them on a scale and weight them then you see the difference.

My NORS 3008574 heater core weighs 3 lb. 11 oz.

Dave

[Michael H.]

Re: Who makes AC Delco Heater cores? The answer .....

I did some research here a few months ago and learned that I could buy a Ready-Aire core from Advance Auto for much less than the prices charged by the leading Corvette restorers. I do not recall now the parts numbers. Advance Auto had to order it, and it came in a couple of days later. The general configuration (two bent tubes, etc.) was the same as my original core, but when I installed it, noticed that it as shorter than the original, such that the original bracket no longer held it in place. I was able to make it work, and of course it cannot be seen after installation. But bottom line, it did not fit like the original.

[Jim D.]

Re: Who makes AC Delco Heater cores? The answer .....

Why doesn't everyone simply take their original heater cores to their local radiator shop and have the core replaced? It's done locally, it fits perfectly and it's already pressure tested (which you should do with ALL aftermarket cores anyway).

[Donald A.]

Re: Who makes AC Delco Heater cores? The answer .....

Ready-Aire 0398207 fits midyears (non-AC) @ Amazon for $40.79 free shipping (I have bought several - fit fine - free shipping to Prime members)

[Joe L.]

Re: Who makes AC Delco Heater cores? The answer .....

Here's my NORS heater core, GM # 3008574, made in 1995.
Dave

Dave------


I highly doubt that this core was actually manufactured by Delco-Harrison. In fact, I believe that Harrison manufacture of these cores ceased a VERY long time ago.

[Edward J.]

Re: Who makes AC Delco Heater cores? The answer .....

Why doesn't everyone simply take their original heater cores to their local radiator shop and have the core replaced? It's done locally, it fits perfectly and it's already pressure tested (which you should do with ALL aftermarket cores anyway).

Jim, the problem is these days radiator shops are a dieing breed, Radiators and heater cores are disposable these days, so there are not many of these shops around.