Tech / General EngineIs your car making a strange sound or won't start? Thinking of adding power with a new combination? Need other technical information or engine specific advice? Don't see another board for your problem? Post it here!
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In searching through the board, I see many posts on how you change out the heater core on a 3rd-Gen, but noone says anything about where is a good place to find a core that will FIT. I've gone thru 3 replacement cores so far and either they won't fit on the plastic 'carrier' that holds the core and screws into the heater box, or the alignment of the intake/exhaust tubes is so sucky that you can't get them to fit thru the holes in the firewall because they're spaced too far or too close to each other. On top of that, all the ones I've found so far are aluminum- doesn't anyone still make bronze/copper cores?
__________________ Original owner - '84 T/A w/stock 305HO 5-speed
2001 Firebird 3800 Stage II
I got my heater core from APC, they sell AC Delco parts and much more! But I don't see why an aluminum heater core being a problem! You could try a local Rad shop for a reman, or could try a dealer, or you could take your old core with you when you try buying your next replacement core!
I think the last one I did was aluminum. I dont see why you should care which it is, as long as it works. The stock radiators are aluminum so its not like there isnt aluminum in the cooling system anyway. I did have to tweak the tubes slightly but it was pretty close. I think the one I got was Four Seasons brand.
In searching through the board, I see many posts on how you change out the heater core on a 3rd-Gen, but noone says anything about where is a good place to find a core that will FIT. I've gone thru 3 replacement cores so far and either they won't fit on the plastic 'carrier' that holds the core and screws into the heater box, or the alignment of the intake/exhaust tubes is so sucky that you can't get them to fit thru the holes in the firewall because they're spaced too far or too close to each other. On top of that, all the ones I've found so far are aluminum- doesn't anyone still make bronze/copper cores?
I got my heatercore from Autozone and it went right in with no issues.
__________________ Pontiac Owners Club (UK) My 84 Trans Am <-- Oh, click me! Click me! My 67 Camaro <-- Or me! Or me! "Life is tough. It's tougher when you're stupid!" (John Wayne) Freedom Is Never Free!
I also got my knockoff brand brass/copper replacement core from Auto Zone
for about $30 bucks. It fit into the heater box ok but as like everybody else
it took a bit of massaging/bending/tweeking the core nipple pipes to get them
to go thru the holes in the firewall ! A PIA for sure...................
But it is sure nice to have heat on those chilly fall mornings!
Ok I got the Autozone version of the core- it fits fine on the carrier but I noticed that the tubing is a little crooked (that is, out of line) when compared to the original core. Between me and the salesman we managed to get the tubing straightened out- I'm just hoping I didn't crack the aluminum in doing so.
As for my wanting copper over aluminum- heat transfer. I'm sure the aluminum will be ok but copper would've dissapated the heat a tad better. Plus it woudl've been easier to bend...
I'm installing it this morning- will keep you guys posted....
Well, it's in and it seems to be working fine. Tons of hot air, and no leaks that I'm able to find. It did take a little... 'persuasion' to get in, (as opposed to the last one I tried which wouldn't go in even after a lot of persuasion :/) so rebending those inlet/outlet pipes did the trick.
There is an Advance Auto here- if this core takes a dump on me after it goes out of the warrenty period, I'll try theirs- otherwise I'll be stuck with having to go to a dealer...
