Who makes the best heater core these days? Looking around at Rock Auto, TFS, and the local parts stores... they're all pretty much the same price except RA, which is significantly cheaper. Any brands to stay away from?
I did a search, but I couldn't find any recommendations in any of the active forums, and I figured any recommendation from the archives would be out of date by now.
I'm going to do a cooling system flush, and I figured that this would be a good time to replace my heater core, which I'm sure is over 15 yrs old.
I have found that Ready-Aire, Spectra, and any aftermarket core has been undersized. They aren't long enough to properly fit into the retainers in the heater box. Their specs say they're 6.25 x 6.25 but they aren't. For that reason, I've taken several original Harrison heater cores to my local radiator shop and had them rebuilt. Costs about $50 but I have an original and I know it fits.
I did a ton of research on this before replacing mine. Then again when my replacement sucked.
There are two general types -- the copper and the aluminum. While most folks don't care, the general consensus is to get the copper if you can.
When you look at all the copper units available, there are a bunch of different brands marketed . . . but they are actually made by the same manufacturer and just branded under different names.
People can say they fit "perfect," but they are all a little short. Some even claim to be the bigger size, but that is not accurate (had to return a couple that alleged they were larger) The OEM one will completely cover the area and fit snugly in place. With the aftermarket versions, there will be a little "give and take" getting it in place and centered because they are about 1/4" shorter than optimum. Ends up being innocuous enough, but there is a difference.
I have read on here that some folks have the OEM one repaired. I don't know if that is cost effective or not.
I have read on here that some folks have the OEM one repaired. I don't know if that is cost effective or not.
You're correct that most of them are made by the same manufacturer. I had mine repaired and it cost about the same as the aftermarket unit that it was replacing. I just checked The Fiero Store and theirs was in the mid $40's. I think I paid $45 each to have 2 repaired. Got a $5 each discount for quantity.
In 2014 I ordered a "ProRad 9010186" from RockAuto. I did that because I had already read that the "Vista-Pro" didn't fit. I was hoping that maybe the ProRad would be different. However, the part in the box was marked with a "TSM" logo, MOD:0398203 PWO:MHH0390 REF:H13H made in Mexico. It was slightly too short to reach the bracket that it's supposed to rest on, as others have described. 0398203 is the "Vista-Pro" part number - so I still got the Vista-Pro, despite ordering ProRad. I did not make note of what the box said, if anything.
So I still don't know if ProRad 9010186 is or has ever been different from the Vista-Pro 0398203. All I know is that the latter definitely doesn't fit, and if you order the former, you may still get the latter part number anyways.
When I complained to RockAuto, the rep said that it was "intentional" for one brand to put parts from another brand in their boxes. So while I could return it, a replacement would likely end up being the same thing. They also cited the measurements given in the specs. There was no response when I sent a photo comparing the part to OEM, asserting that it falls short of published measurements, and explained why this is a problem.
Since I had no lead on a heater core that would be any different, and I wanted to get my car back together, I kept the Vista-Pro. I glued an extension on it so it would reach the bracket that it's supposed to rest on. It works. But if you can get the original Harrison core rebuilt for near the same price, that seems like a better idea. It's definitely higher quality than the aftermarket parts, probably performs better, and it will fit correctly.
[This message has been edited by armos (edited 08-10-2018).]
Yea, just this spring, I bought 4 or 5 different brands of heater cores trying to find one that was as big as the stock unit. Several even advertised dimensions that SHOULD have been big enough. Several of the sellers also assured me by email that the listed (larger) measurements were accurate.
None were as large as the stock unit, all coming in 1/4" short. From what I could tell, every copper example purchased was the same manufacturer. I ended up returning all but the one I ended up using.
Keep in mind, the smaller unit can and is made to work. It's just not ideal. You have to play with it a little to ensure it fits snugly and covers up the entire area where the air flows.
Ok, then. Say you have a core that's the correct size, and it's not leaking yet. Should I do anything with it? I'm going to do a coolant flush, so this would be the time to do something.
If you already have the heater core out or can have the car out of service for a week or two, pull the core and have it cleaned and pressure tested at a radiator shop. As I said in my linked article, when I had one tested, the end tank came off when they pressurized it. I'm sure they probably apply a pressure higher than operating pressures. This might be to simulate overheating pressures. Surely the cores have a margin of safety built in.
Not only does the company I use clean out the core and repair it, but they also straighten all the fins to assure good air flow through it.
I don't have it out yet, but I'm planning on doing a flush and I'm planning on pulling the evaporator to clean out behind it. I figured that it would be a good time to also pull the heater core, and do a more complete cleanout of the airbox. I figured it would be a good time to replace the heater core, but now I need to find a shop that does radiator testing & repair.
This turned out to be a can of worms I didn't expect.
I think it is well worth the time/hassle to pressure test and recondition an original unit. I've done this several times with both heater cores and full size radiators when doing engine conversions over the years and never regretted it. It does usually end up being about the same as replacement in some cases but I don't trust the construction in a lot of these literally throw away cores.
I just did some searching through some of the online discount auto parts sources like Parts Train. They carry different brands, but often reference Spectra, Ready-Aire and all those brands we already know are undersize.
Earlier this year I checked Ebay and found that there were actually some new Harrison's out there, but they don't come cheap. There are currently some APDI cores on there, made in Mexico and China, depending upon the vendor, that state the size is 6.5 x 6.5. At least you can contact these vendors and have them measure before ordering.
I just did some searching through some of the online discount auto parts sources like Parts Train. They carry different brands, but often reference Spectra, Ready-Aire and all those brands we already know are undersize.
Earlier this year I checked Ebay and found that there were actually some new Harrison's out there, but they don't come cheap. There are currently some APDI cores on there, made in Mexico and China, depending upon the vendor, that state the size is 6.5 x 6.5. At least you can contact these vendors and have them measure before ordering.
I tried all of those. While they advertise they are larger, they are not.
That is an original Harrison. I just checked the number on the tag for the one I just gave to Sarge to bring over to you. Same tag. My blue tag has faded out, but the top number on the other tag matches yours.
That is an original Harrison. I just checked the number on the tag for the one I just gave to Sarge to bring over to you. Same tag. My blue tag has faded out, but the top number on the other tag matches yours.
I just purchased a Rock Auto heater core, I opted for the expensive one because I bought the cheap radiator with plastic tanks from them last summer. I had a bad radiator cap and it blew one of the new plastic tanks. I ordered a $10 more expensive radiator from RA and it was completely welded aluminum and is sweet. However after putting in the new core on 8/27/18 the next day it was leaking. I pulled the cover and could see steam somewhere near the bottom of the core. The lines are not leaking. I still have the old one I took out and I am going to have it repaired locally. The core was 1/4" short and this did irritate me.
