Heater Core Needing Replacement

[SF-66TC]

Gents,

Attempting to replace the Heater Core in my AC '66 TC I'm assuming it's like this one I found on ebay, but it's probably best to pull it out to compare before ordering. Anyone order one from the "Classic Auto Air" vendor before?

Also, anyone know where to source the insulation for the Heater Core Box?

65-68 CHRYSLER DODGE PLYMOUTH C BODY A/C Dual Heater Core Coil AC | eBay

Thanks for any input!

 

[Ross Wooldridge]

That looks like the correct heater core, and Classic Auto Air has a decent reputation.

Heater box parts including insulation kits can be sourced from Jim at DMT - look them up on eBay.
DMT Detroit Muscle Technologies Gaskets AMC Mopar Dodge Plymouth Chrysler Ford Mercury GM Chevy Pontiac Chevrolet

Your heater box can also be completely restored to new for reasonable dough (considering the complexity) by Mr Heaterbox. They also can sell you the insulation kits I think, and they have a good reputation.
Home Page - Mr Heaterbox and Interior Restoration Services

Take the front seat out when doing the job - makes it way easier.

 

[mrfury68]

A factory service manual is a must have for our old cars. Good luck & keep us posted on your progress.

 

[Davea Lux]

Gents,

Attempting to replace the Heater Core in my AC '66 TC I'm assuming it's like this one I found on ebay, but it's probably best to pull it out to compare before ordering. Anyone order one from the "Classic Auto Air" vendor before?

Also, anyone know where to source the insulation for the Heater Core Box?

65-68 CHRYSLER DODGE PLYMOUTH C BODY A/C Dual Heater Core Coil AC | eBay

Thanks for any input!

The heater box on these cars is a major pain in the butt to pull, so be sure to follow the FSM so you do not damage anything. Take special note of the section on removing the A/C connections so you don't break the evaporator, hard to find and expensive! Note that there is a branch fitting inside the heater box that has two short sections of heater hose, often the short heater hoses will be what is leaking, so you might want to pull the box and see if that is your problem, it might save you having to buy a new dual core. Would not blame you a bit if you decided to replace it to save having to do the job again later.

Dave

 

[sgtdave]

I purchased one of these from Classic Auto Air last year. Nice quality and no fit problems. Check your heater control valve for leaks. You can do this by pulling back the carpet at the control valve. When they leak the water flow looks like its coming from the heater box.

 

[Big_John]

I purchased one of these from Classic Auto Air last year. Nice quality and no fit problems. Check your heater control valve for leaks. You can do this by pulling back the carpet at the control valve. When they leak the water flow looks like its coming from the heater box.

You know... We've kicked these around before. Since they seem to be two "generic" cores spliced together, some of us have wondered if the fit was going to be OK.

I'm glad someone finally bought one and reported back. This is good info!!

FWIW, this is what a stock heater core looks like. It isn't really a dual core, it's a core with the inlet/outlet in the center.

New core

 

[Polara_500]

Actually the as new configuration should show the valve also.

 

[Big_John]

Actually the as new configuration should show the valve also.
View attachment 163286

The one I showed was from a later car so it won't have the valve in that spot.

It looks to me to be the same configuration otherwise.

 

[SF-66TC]

You know... We've kicked these around before. Since they seem to be two "generic" cores spliced together, some of us have wondered if the fit was going to be OK.

I'm glad someone finally bought one and reported back. This is good info!!

FWIW, this is what a stock heater core looks like. It isn't really a dual core, it's a core with the inlet/outlet in the center.

View attachment 163284

New core

View attachment 163285

Thanks for the pic Big John, do you have a pic of the back side?
What car is the photo you posted from?
The Old and the NEW sure look different... though it may work I sure don't fancy the two rubber hoses.

By the way, do you know what the tube in this photo is?
I took this photo from the bottom looking up. There was no hose attached to it and it was dripping coolant out of it. I was told it was the overflow for the heater core. Since it appeared to be leaking I bypassed the the cores in/out line in the engine compartment by connecting the hoses together and the dripping stopped, which led me to believe what I was told was accurate.

 

[Big_John]

Thanks for the pic Big John, do you have a pic of the back side?
What car is the photo you posted from?

Unfortunately, I didn't have a good pic from my car (70 300 w/ AC) when the heater box was out. I found that one on the web and it is very similar to the one in my car. It illustrates the difference and that the original wasn't a dual core.

To me, the big thing is how it all mounts in the heater box. The replacement looks good and is a reasonable alternative to finding a $$$ NOS core... If you can even find one.

So, if we have the mounting correct, and using two generic heater cores makes it possible, then we have a winner! sgtdave has posted that his installation went well, so there's some proof that it does work out.

Regarding the rubber hoses... The pic Polara_500 posted is of the original configuration... rubber hose and all. Not much choice there. They should last a long time though.

But... You know, it could be the old rubber hoses or that heater valve rather than the heater core... I think the valve has a seal that leaks and that seal is reproduced. Just saying.....

 

[sgtdave]

I think the tubes you're talking about might be the AC evaporator drain tubes as the moisture is removed from the air. The photo shows the two copper tubes from my '65. There is a rubber elbow hose (not shown) directing the water to the ground. The other photo shows the interior of the heater/AC box where I used home AC/Heat duct wrap (sticky on one side) from Home Depot. It serves the purpose of keeping the heat in the box. Comes in a roll for under $20.

 

[SF-66TC]

I think the tubes you're talking about might be the AC evaporator drain tubes as the moisture is removed from the air. The photo shows the two copper tubes from my '65. There is a rubber elbow hose (not shown) directing the water to the ground. The other photo shows the interior of the heater/AC box where I used home AC/Heat duct wrap (sticky on one side) from Home Depot. It serves the purpose of keeping the heat in the box. Comes in a roll for under $20.

View attachment 163425

View attachment 163426

sgtdave - if you're referring to the tube in the photo I posted, wouldn't you say that clear fluid (water) would be dripping out of it rather than coolant? But if the purpose of those tubes are as you said then there has to be a leak within the core and/or evaporator for coolant to be leaking out from there. Wish there was a better diagram to show how it all works....

 

[sgtdave]

sgtdave - if you're referring to the tube in the photo I posted, wouldn't you say that clear fluid (water) would be dripping out of it rather than coolant? But if the purpose of those tubes are as you said then there has to be a leak within the core and/or evaporator for coolant to be leaking out from there. Wish there was a better diagram to show how it all works....

Yep....sounds like a core leak.