Heater Core

[luvmoparz]

So I am kinda confused. My car is an A/C car, but the replacement ones I see for sale do not jive with what is existing.

First Pic is actual engine compartment:


This is the picture of a heater core FOR Non-A/C cars:


And this is a picture of one FOR A/C Cars:


Granted, I haven't ripped it apart yet, its getting a VIN inspection today, but wondering if anyone has some wise words they can convey.

[sdweatherman]

Hey Ed,
I still have several A/C-Heater boxes torn apart. I can get you a picture of what the heater core looks like from an OEM box. I will post it tonight.
Scott.

[kenny]

i changed my heater core is was a no ac car and it looked like the first one worked fine why do you say it dont jive my heater core went in the box horizontally as i am sure yours will and then the nipples on the second pic will look like what you have showing throught the fire wall.

[steved]

pretend you're a blonde and bob your head to the right. HOLD right there....and now look at the second pic.

I have an AC car...

sjd

[71bird]

Why don't you call Glen Ray radiator, and get a price to have it fixed? Nothing works like the original.

[sdweatherman]

We are hosting Thanksgiving this year. So when I got home, the wife put me on house cleaning and I forgot about the picture of the heater core. Good thing I checked the Nest this morning!

[luvmoparz]

Nice Steved....too funny. Thanks for all the responses. Thought that might be the case, that it sits horizontal. Once I get it out, will see what kind of condition its in and go from there. Happy Thanksgiving All!

[kenny]

if you have it all apart i would suggest going ahead and changing it, it sure would be a pain to put everything together for it to fail. furthermore you can test it yourself take a bicycle tire tube cut it in half accross from the inflation valve, put one end of your tube on one core nipple, and the other on the second, put some hose clamps on, then use a bicycle pump to pump the tube up to about 15lbs of pressure then submurge the core into a bucket of water and look for air coming out. also if you buy a new one at the parts store you can do a quick test at the counter, before you leave with the part assuming it is fine. to test at the counter put your thumb over on nipple covering it tight then blow with your mouth as hard as you can in the other and hold it for a few seconds seeing if the pressure leaks down, a healthy human respratory system will be able to push and hold 15lbs of pressure. if your old one test fine and you choose not to replace i would recommend getting a lower pressure radiator cap factory was 16lb in 71 but all parts stores have the same cap with a 7lb spring in it. in my car i have an original 1971 22" big block radiator for manual transmission if you have ever looked for one of those you know that it is a radiator core the cost about $500 in a condition that needs recored, however mine has original core that test good but the shop told me that if i ran it with 16lb cap it would not hold up long being so old. he recommended i get the 7lb cap he compared it to having a typical 40year old hold a 50lb block all day or having them gold a 22lb block all day and see who failed sooner.

[rr6pak]

I went to the local auto parts store and picked one up for $45, with A/C.