I'm getting ready to change out my heater core (92 z28). I was wondering if anybody knows if there is a difference between the heater cores NAPA sells and the ones Autozone sells. NAPA has one for $23.00 with a 90 day warr. and Autozone has one for $17.00 with a lifetime warr.

 

The AutoZone heater core is made by Go-Dan Industries. So is the one that Advance sells. For only $23 I suspect the NAPA is also. Go with the lifetime warranty.

I recently replaced mine with a AC Delco one. It was about $40. If I was to buy it again though, I would probably have just bought a local parts store one.

While you are changing the core, you might as well change all the heater hoses and the heater diverter valve if they are old.

 

Thanks for the feedback.

 

Replaced a couple cores in recent years, from Autozone. Had no problems at all. Bet that's going to be a bear of a job though.

 

I go to National Auto for a lot of things and usually they are fine. One time I bought a heater core there for my firebird and had to replace it again the next year (PITA and very frustrating). The second time around I bought an AC Delco and it lasted longer than the car

This was several years ago and I don't remember the brand, it is possible that they changed suppliers by now, but you never really know. If I had to do it all over again, I would've spent the money on the AC Delco one in the first place.

I probably spent enough money on coolant that leaked out of the first one to actually make it more costly, not to mention my time is the most valuble asset I have, and doing the same repair twice in a row is a waste of it.

John