67 Heater Core Replacement Advice

[Michael M.]

Any recommendations for a quality heater core replacement?
Installed new heater core during restoration 4 years ago, got car out for the weekend, got a pinhole leak.
Shop wanted to put some tablet in system to fix it, I said no, replace it.
Bad luck whatever. need to move on and replace it.
I was told if they sit without ends sealed after made there is a reaction with the air and brazing materials and acid is formed leading to problems etc.
Any American made out there?

[Edward J.]

Re: 67 Heater Core Replacement Advice

Mike, if you still have a radiator repair shop around you they can re-core a heater core, I just had a original 63 core done and the used a quality replacement part, they generally use solder the core to the old tanks. the over the counter cores are just plain old junk, and generally have a short life span.

[Joe L.]

Re: 67 Heater Core Replacement Advice

Any recommendations for a quality heater core replacement?
Installed new heater core during restoration 4 years ago, got car out for the weekend, got a pinhole leak.
Shop wanted to put some tablet in system to fix it, I said no, replace it.
Bad luck whatever. need to move on and replace it.
I was told if they sit without ends sealed after made there is a reaction with the air and brazing materials and acid is formed leading to problems etc.
Any American made out there?

Michael-------

First of all, what kind of coolant are you using?

For heater cores my preference is an ALUMINUM unit. Unfortunately, I do not believe that such units are currently available for C2 Corvettes. However, thankfully, they are available for C3 Corvettes. These are all-aluminum units with WELDED inlet and outlet tubes. In my opinion, these are the only way to go. Copper/brass cores use solder joints. These are the "Achille's Heel" of heater cores, especially if the wrong coolant is used. The solder erodes over time and/or it cracks due to vibration (prevalent in hard-riding Corvettes).

Heater cores are, basically, a commodity item these days and are sourced from all over the world. Several years ago I purchased a GM/Delco core for a C3 and it was actually made in the USA. I was stunned. The vast majority of the time, though, you're going to find they're made in Mexico, China or Taiwan regardless of brand. This applies not just to SERVICE units for older applications; it applies to new cars as well.

Attached are photos of an ALUMINUM C3 with A/C heater core just so you can see how they are constructed.

[Michael M.]

Re: 67 Heater Core Replacement Advice

Thanks
Looking to rescore mine from a local Rad Shop