1966 Heater Core

[John N.]

My heater core is starting to leak, time to replace it. Does anyone have an opinion as to which replacement core I should purchase and where I should purchase it. Do I need to try and find an NOS one for reliability or will a replacement one work as well as the original.

[Jim D.]

Re: 1966 Heater Core

Take yours out and take it to a radiator shop and have it re-cored. It will be cheaper, faster and guaranteed to fit, unlike any replacement you can buy.

[John N.]

Re: 1966 Heater Core

Thank you I will do that.

[Harry S.]

Re: 1966 Heater Core

My heater core is starting to leak, time to replace it. Does anyone have an opinion as to which replacement core I should purchase and where I should purchase it. Do I need to try and find an NOS one for reliability or will a replacement one work as well as the original.

John, if you have never replaced one, it is a lot of work. Take your time so you don't break any of the fiberglass on the inner or outer heater box.

[Edward J.]

Re: 1966 Heater Core

John, I have never heard of a re-cored heater core. Best just to replace with a quality one. (Modine,Ready Aire,)

[Dennis B.]

Re: 1966 Heater Core

My '66 Air Coupe has a replacement heater core from NAPA. Works fine. Whatever you use pressure test it first before you install it. You will only want to do this once. Get a new one.

w/ac = NAPA NHC6603524
wo/ac = NAPA NHC6603525



Dennis

[John N.]

Re: 1966 Heater Core

This is all great info, thanks to all of you. I will heed all the info as I move forward with this repair.

[Frank C.]

Re: 1966 Heater Core

John,

All good advice above. I can give you my experience. I have a 66 air coupe that I bought with a leaking heater core in 2005. The heater core replacement was my first project. It was a pain to do, but with patience very managable for a novice (me). I did take my orginal core to a local radiator shop, they checked it out, and then did a minor resolder job which I re installed and is still leak free today. The condition of your heater core may be different than mine but it may be worth checking to see if it can be repaired.

Frank

[Jim D.]

Re: 1966 Heater Core

John, I have never heard of a re-cored heater core. Best just to replace with a quality one. (Modine,Ready Aire,)

Maybe you should get out more if you've never heard of it. I've been getting mine re-cored for 40+ years, as opposed to buying one of the Chinese cores you listed that will need be taken to a radiator shop and pressure tested/repaired before installing.

[Wayne M.]

Re: 1966 Heater Core

....I (took) my orginal core to a local radiator shop, they checked it out, and then did a minor resolder job which I re installed and is still leak free today. The condition of your heater core may be different than mine but it may be worth checking to see if it can be repaired. ...

Same here, back in 1982, on my '65 air coupe. Member of local Corvette club worked at a rad shop. They installed new core, using original end caps (retaining Harrison 64H stamping, IIRC). R & R'ed the unit myself (quite a job).

[Jim D.]

Re: 1966 Heater Core

Same here, back in 1982, on my '65 air coupe. Member of local Corvette club worked at a rad shop. They installed new core, using original end caps (retaining Harrison 64H stamping, IIRC). R & R'ed the unit myself (quite a job).

The worst one I've ever done was on my 74, 454 every option including AC. I honestly believe that GM started with a heater core and sent it down the line to have a car built around it. You know you're in for it when the first bolt that needs to be removed is the console bolt BEHIND the seats.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1966 Heater Core

Maybe you should get out more if you've never heard of it. I've been getting mine re-cored for 40+ years, as opposed to buying one of the Chinese cores you listed that will need be taken to a radiator shop and pressure tested/repaired before installing.

Jim-----


I've heard of it but I've never found a radiator shop in this area (northern California) that would do it and I've inquired of quite a few. I was told that there are no cores now available to use in a re-core. If someone knows of a shop that, for sure, can get a core and will do the work, I'd like to know about it whether it's around here or not. I have at least one original heater core I'd like to have done.

By the way, the last two new GM/Delco cores I bought for 68-76 without A/C were made in USA.

[Jim D.]

Re: 1966 Heater Core

Jim-----


I've heard of it but I've never found a radiator shop in this area (northern California) that would do it and I've inquired of quite a few. I was told that there are no cores now available to use in a re-core. If someone knows of a shop that, for sure, can get a core and will do the work, I'd like to know about it whether it's around here or not. I have at least one original heater core I'd like to have done.

By the way, the last two new GM/Delco cores I bought for 68-76 without A/C were made in USA.

Wow, you better find another radiator shop or move out of Kalifornia. These guys did one for me a couple of months ago. I just called them to make sure blanks were available and was told NO PROBLEM. Blank cores are readily available from multiple sources. http://www.northwestradiatorwa.com/ The owner is an old high school buddy.

Jim

P.S. The Delco core I bought (returned) last year said right on the box "made in China"

[John N.]

Re: 1966 Heater Core

I don't use this forum very often (I'm not computer literate), but I will use it more often now as all who have responded are very knowledgeable and extremely helpful. Thanks to all for the tips and info. This repair now seems doable for me. I did go to the local chevrolet store and they told me the core was still available under part #52484057 ($189.00) which replaced #3008574. Again thank you all. I will now start taking things apart slowly and hope things become self apparent as I proceed.

[Dennis B.]

Re: 1966 Heater Core

I don't use this forum very often (I'm not computer literate), but I will use it more often now as all who have responded are very knowledgeable and extremely helpful. Thanks to all for the tips and info. This repair now seems doable for me. I did go to the local chevrolet store and they told me the core was still available under part #52484057 ($189.00) which replaced #3008574. Again thank you all. I will now start taking things apart slowly and hope things become self apparent as I proceed.

Use your digital camera and take pictures as you go. If this is your first time behind that glove box they will help. Caution. The wire for your glove box light is always HOT. If it falls against a ground it will short. Tape it off when you get it free. Also photograph and pay close attention to that same bulb/switch/wire assembly as it is a bit different than most car light connections. It is also fragile so go slow.

Dennis