My heater core had to be replaced, and the one i bought doesn't snap into the plastic thing the old one was held in. The brackets weren't made to snap over it. But I got it in, and it fits really snuggly, doesn't wiggle around. Do I have to get one that's exactly like the old one, is it okay the new one won't be screwed down into the plastic? Thanks.

 

it sould be fine if the cover is tight and holds it in.

 

Oh ya and the book says "Installation is the reverse of removal. Replace the seals with new ones." What are these seals, are they the silver things that hold down the hose? Cause I saw no rubber seals...

 

do a search for heater core.when i did mine i found a few good posts.I can only remember some foam gasket around a few of the plastic parts.as long as everything bolts back in place u will be fine.the gasket would only let a little hot air escape from the heater box.

 

that plastic part didnt fit my new core either.

 

Did that create any problems or rattling?

 

smae story here , bought my from autozone and that retainer clip dosent fit between the two left "closest to A/C controls " . right now the only thing holding my heater core is the hoses through the firewall . this is the only reason why i havent put my dash back together . i guess i will just put evrything back together without that retaining clip on the cover for the heater core.

 

I bought a replacement core from NAPA. Had the same problem. I brought it back and they checked the part number and said it was correct. I showed him it didn't fit (brought my old one with me) and he looked it up on the computer again and the pic was different. He reordered it, the new one was correct. He said they must have put the wrong part in the box. The first one (incorrect one) came from China. The correct one came from Mexico. The correct one came in a much smaller box too (and was a little warped as a result, but still fit).

 

Ya, I had the problem of the same part number being two things also. I returned it today, and went to napa, they'll have what I'll need tommorow at 8. Hopefully it will be the correct one.

 

Make sure you open it there!

 

The only thing you have to worry about, if it fits in the heater box snugly enough to stay put, is that you surround it with some kind of foam rubber
You can get weatherstripping from a home repair outlet
It is important that the heater is surrounded tightly by some kind of seal so the blower air HAS to go through the core, or you will lose a large amount of your heat
Forced air takes the easiest route, and that is around your core, not through those tiny little fins and tubes