Removing a non-AC Heater Box

[bill70j]

Can you post a link for the one you got?

Here is a link to replacement Heater Core on the supplier's website. I didn't buy it directly from them, but from a re-seller.

Edit: Funny. I just looked at that link and I see that OER advertises the tube diameters as 5/8" & 3/4" vs. 1/2" 5/8". At least my re-seller got it right on his listing

 

[terrywalker]

In an interesting turn of events, I found out I have to replace my heater core today in my 71 convertible. I had given you insights in posts #5 and #16. I recently had my car stored up, on my 4 post lift. I removed the 71 hardtop I had under the lift and lowered the convertible down to the floor. I looked in and I see a few papers I had on the mat on the passenger's front floorboard are wet. I look at the heater box and yes, antifreeze has been dripping. Fortunately, most was on the vinyl floor mat and absorbed by the papers. I had a spare rebuild kit for the heater box. I had to remove the cassette player and bucket seat. I will now get to do my 4th heater box rebuild. Fun. Having the lift is nice to drain the radiator and unbolt the seats. Oh well. I'm glad I caught it before it became more serious.
Terry W.

 

[bill70j]

In an interesting turn of events, I found out I have to replace my heater core today in my 71 convertible. I had given you insights in posts #5 and #16. I recently had my car stored up, on my 4 post lift. I removed the 71 hardtop I had under the lift and lowered the convertible down to the floor. I looked in and I see a few papers I had on the mat on the passenger's front floorboard are wet. I look at the heater box and yes, antifreeze has been dripping. Fortunately, most was on the vinyl floor mat and absorbed by the papers. I had a spare rebuild kit for the heater box. I had to remove the cassette player and bucket seat. I will now get to do my 4th heater box rebuild. Fun. Having the lift is nice to drain the radiator and unbolt the seats. Oh well. I'm glad I caught it before it became more serious.
Terry W.

Terry:

Yeah. glad you caught it early and while the car was stored. Nothing like getting 16psi behind the coolant and watching it spew out all over the passenger side while you're rushing to get home.

Appreciate the tips you had on cleaning up the carpet and also on the seal kit from DMT. Very helpful.

Hope you keep us informed about any surprises on your 4th heater box rebuild. I'd be curious about what you do as far as the heater core goes - new, NOS, or rebuild. The new one I got was amazingly well reverse-engineered except for a miss on the heater outlet tube placement, which was the only issue I had, at least for my 1970. Maybe it fits other years and models? Seems doubtful.

 

[terrywalker]

I didn't realize until last night that my heater box had been out before. I found that the heater core in there was an aftermarket core - it didn't fit well or wasn't lined up in the case properly. I have owned the car since 1972 but my parents stored it and occasionally used it from 1975 until 1980. It seems during this time there was a heater problem. The car was in a cold climate (Ohio and northern Utah). Anyway, whoever took the front case cover off to replace the core didn't know how to remove the clips holding the front case cover to the back half and broke a couple of small pieces from the cover which I'll have to repair. I've tried different brands of brass/copper heater cores before and didn't have problems. I'll let people know the one I install and how it works. I usually get them to fit well with some trimming. I saw your other post of getting one to fit. I'll answer over there. Here's a photo taken today of the 71 heater box taken apart and the one from my 72 Challenger in front which I'm working on.
Terry W.

 

[don selleck]

Here is a link to replacement Heater Core on the supplier's website. I didn't buy it directly from them, but from a re-seller.

Edit: Funny. I just looked at that link and I see that OER advertises the tube diameters as 5/8" & 3/4" vs. 1/2" 5/8". At least my re-seller got it right on his list

 

[don selleck]

I read the reviews on that oer h.c. only 2 reviews both said wouldn't fit. I bought a core for my 68 charger about 8 years ago, couldn't get that one to fit either. Most repop parts are off and I expect so massaging, but sometimes they just won't cut it. Did you get yours to work?

 

[bill70j]

I read the reviews on that oer h.c. only 2 reviews both said wouldn't fit. I bought a core for my 68 charger about 8 years ago, couldn't get that one to fit either. Most repop parts are off and I expect so massaging, but sometimes they just won't cut it. Did you get yours to work?

Yes. See my post dated 6/30

 

[don selleck]

ah, I see it on the 26th where you splurged for the 100 plus model, Thinking I'll just recondition what I have.