I tried to install my new Spectra Premium Industries Inc 94498 Heater Core but the core part was 1/4 inch too short, which means the band cant clamp down on the core to hold it in place. The tubes were long enough, just slightly bent wrong. This one was all aluminum.
Are all cores shorter, or is this just the wrong brand to buy?
Did you have any issues with your replacement Heater Core?
[This message has been edited by Alex.07.86GT (edited 10-14-2014).]
I've found that both Spectra and Ready-Aire have the same issue. When I contacted Ready-Aire their customer service representative told me to get a can of aerosol foam household insulation and fill the space to hold it in place. Instead, I took my original Harrison core to a radiator shop and had it fixed for less than a new non-fitting core.
The next one I worked on couldn't be repaired. I kept calling around to different parts stores and having them give me the measurements on the ones they sold. Surprisingly, I found a Spectra at NAPA Auto Parts that was the correct size.
I've found that both Spectra and Ready-Aire have the same issue. When I contacted Ready-Aire their customer service representative told me to get a can of aerosol foam household insulation and fill the space to hold it in place. Instead, I took my original Harrison core to a radiator shop and had it fixed for less than a new non-fitting core.
The next one I worked on couldn't be repaired. I kept calling around to different parts stores and having them give me the measurements on the ones they sold. Surprisingly, I found a Spectra at NAPA Auto Parts that was the correct size.
wow thats nuts!! as long as I get free shipping both ways with Amazon, i guess ill keep trying
Not completely sure but I thought there was a difference between an AC and Non AC heater core?
Absolutely.
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Originally posted by Patrick:
I think the OP is complaining of the actual core being too small (not the tubes being too short). I've noticed the cores on replacement heater cores being slightly smaller than the original OEM ones as well. It's a nuisance, but nothing that can't be resolved with a bit of messing around.
[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 10-14-2014).]
I just replaced my core. It came from a company called Kell Radiator in Douglasville. It appeared to be identical to my original. It wasn't in a box when I picked it up, so I don't have any record of the brand.
I have seen a few after markets ones, no idea on the brands as they came out of cars, IE different construction, but they all seemed to fit the same. but again I do agree A/C and non A/C are sooo different in the whole heater system. (I wouldn't even want to replace a non A/C one) IE A/C = easy to replace, non A/C ah.. yeah.. no!
Raydar, did it have the copper colored parts as well? The last replacement heater core I bought (which was a tad smaller) was completely aluminum.
Yes. All copper. It was quite a bit more expensive than the last one I replaced (also copper.) Seems like this one was ~$50. The previous one was only ~$25, but that was over 5 years ago, in a different Fiero.
I concur, TFS sell both an AC and Non AC cores. I think the AC has longer tubes.
yes, the tubes were correct length but the core was short 1/4" The clamp doesnt reach the core to hold it in place and you have a gap in the opening instead of the heater core covering the whole opening.
as mentioned you can foam it together if you have to. or do whatever else you have to to get it to stay in place or just look for a different core or fix your old core.
If you move the core all the way to the left you can get it to fit under the band clip that holds it in place. That still leaves the end with the tubes without a retainer, since it's too short for the two spring metal retainers that are mounted on the cover to press against the chambers on the end of the core. That also leaves a gap between the AC and heater core where air can intermix prior to the mixing door. Even if the space were filled with the foam insulation, the core can still move around if the hoses in the front compartment are disturbed. That could open the gap again.
For about double the price of a Spectra or Ready-Aire, my radiator shop said they could actually build another for me and it would be correct.
If you move the core all the way to the left you can get it to fit under the band clip that holds it in place. That still leaves the end with the tubes without a retainer, since it's too short for the two spring metal retainers that are mounted on the cover to press against the chambers on the end of the core. That also leaves a gap between the AC and heater core where air can intermix prior to the mixing door. Even if the space were filled with the foam insulation, the core can still move around if the hoses in the front compartment are disturbed. That could open the gap again.
For about double the price of a Spectra or Ready-Aire, my radiator shop said they could actually build another for me and it would be correct.
i tried to pull mine back to clamp down, but the tubes wouldnt let me do that unless I cut the plastic housing before the firewall. I was fed up at that point and am waiting for another one.
I am having to replace my heater core again on my 87GT. Because there have been some recent questions and discussions on core replacement, I thought I'd do a small writeup on my experience.
We often advise people to clean out their ductwork, especially around the resister that's accessible in the front compartment. I not only pulled material out of the heater core area, but this is what I got out by hand when I removed the resistor. You can see some of the leaves had slipped into the coil of the resistor and had actually started to cook a little.
There was more that I pulled out with a shop vac, mostly fine stuff that I couldn't pick up with the two fingers I could get into the resister opening. I used a piece of single strand aluminum wire with a bend on the end to get back beyond the reach of my fingers. I'm still not confident that I got everything.
Per the original topic of discussion, the size of the replacement heater cores, this is what I got from Vista-Pro. It's supposed to be a Prorad part, but the paperwork with it says it's a Ready-Aire.
The dimensions for the core, as stated on their website, is 6.25 x 6.25 x 2 inches. Like all other aftermarket cores, it's far from that. Height and depth are correct, but core length is short.
The replacement core is compared alongside an original Harrison heater core. Harrison at the top, Prorad/Ready-Aire at the bottom.
You can see that the original Harrison is a true 6.25 inches, while the replacement is only 5.875 inches. A full .375 inches short.
Also, note the end tanks. They have a large flange on their full perimeter that caps over the core. I've seen none of the aftermarket units that use this manufacturing method. They use a flat seal, like the lower unit, above.
[This message has been edited by fierofool (edited 05-07-2016).]
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