Heater core life expectancy

**Jrod** · 10-31-09, 10:30 PM

Just a quick question, I have the interior completely gutted as part of the resto process, and I was wondering how long our heater core's generally last. I'd imagine now would be the easiest time to replace it (its probably safe to assume its the original). What do you think?

? Jrod

**RC81** · 11-01-09, 01:35 AM

Do it now. Murphys Law and all.

**Peer81** · 11-01-09, 04:55 AM

Test it under some extra pressure, then you'll know.

Groeten Peter

**bill81vette** · 11-01-09, 07:25 AM

if you have this far apart,I would replace it NOW!!!!!
if you don't you will probably regret it!!!!!

**spikebot 81** · 11-01-09, 08:44 AM

Jrod, I did a interior overhaul last winter. Like you I also gutted the inside. I couldnt keep thinking about all that new carpet and stuff and the heater core letting go a month after I was finished. That would not be cool. So out with the heater core. It looked real good and origanal, not a sign of leakage. Still the facts remain. Off to the autozone for a new core. Got it home, looked it over and noticed made in mexico. I put it up on a test and sure enough the solder joints at the outlet tube leaked like hell. Took it back to autozone for a new one but they had no more in stock. They told me they could order one and I would have to pay another 15 bucks for freight. I then got a refund and went to napa. The Napa core came out of Caif. was US made and I think $52 compaired to $35 at autozone. Sure could tell the difference in quality. All that was a 2 week delay on my interior overhaul but it sure was worth piece of mind to change it out.

**Jrod** · 11-01-09, 06:59 PM

Yeah, I had a feeling that would be what I should do. I shouldn't try to cut any corners. Thanks for the great advice and I will definetly go to NAPA for the heater core. By the way, does it come out into the interior or into the engine bay side of the firewall? The haynes manual doesn't have any pics on this for our year, and it looks like there's alot of stuff in the way of removing the heater box on the engine side of the firewall.

**spikebot 81** · 11-02-09, 06:57 AM

All the components for the heater core are removed from the inside of the car. There are two screws that hold the heater box togeather located in the engine compartment. Kinda throws a guy for a loop. If you dont have a assembly manual do a search here Im sure it will come up

**Jrod** · 11-02-09, 07:09 PM

Thanks Spikebot, it probably would've taken me a while to figure that one out. I'll take some pics of the process in case anyone could use them.

**muddywaters** · 11-02-09, 07:31 PM

Originally Posted by Jrod

Thanks Spikebot, it probably would've taken me a while to figure that one out. I'll take some pics of the process in case anyone could use them.

Yeah, The auto manufactures took a heater core and built the car around it. Watch you don't pinch any vacumn lines on reassembly. I did a 79 coupe way back when and pinched a line to the heater control. Lucky we found it early, I'm not sure if yours is the same as a 79, have fun.