Heater core: how best to clean it?

[In The Ten Ring]

Maybe I shouldn't but when I found pine needles and leaves in this thing today I think I should take it apart and make sure it's fully cleaned. I think the fan could use some grease too.

It's riveted in some places....I am going to drill those out and either re-rivet those or put in tiny bolts and lock washers.

What say you guys about my plans?

[Xeen]

It looks like it's in great shape, I say leave it alone.

[68C15]

New heater cores come already cleaned. No extra time involved

[volksworld]

just unbolt the 2 straps that hold in the heater core, and unbolt the blower motor...you should be able to blow the box out with compressed air without any further disassembly...watch out for flying mice...

[cooperhw]

Originally Posted by 68C15

New heater cores come already cleaned. No extra time involved

While you have it that far apart go to O'Reillys or another and they sell em new for about $20. If you don't some day it will fail on you and then you get to do it all over again.

[In The Ten Ring]

$20.00 eh? hmmm

I am going to take the heater core over for a royal flush and pressure test. I realize it would be cheaper to buy a new one.

Now the fan motor, how do I get that out? Its casing has a couple of rivets or do I need to look more closely?

If I can get the fan and motor out, I'll take the advice on using compressed air to blow out the center section of this casing.

[bigmac73]

I am pretty sure the fan motor just bolts right in to the outside of the box set up..
I have to agree with just buying a new core as long as you have It open

[Already Gone]

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[In The Ten Ring]

So I dropped the original heater core off at the local radiator shop. They quoted me a price of $20.00 for a flush and pressure check. It is my goal to stay as original as I can with my truck.

If this core is leaking, I'll go buy a new one.

My goal today is to have a closer look at removing the fan and motor and blowing out that center section!

[EARNHARDT#3]

New heater cores are junk. Aluminum and many times they don't fit right and the pipes don't aling with the holes either.

[swamp rat]

If ya get a new heater core try and stick with brass, there are some out there still altho i don't know if a source.

[midniteblues]

you can scrub the outer box real good with just about anything and use a clear coat on it.

most of the gasket sets i've seen are pure junk but you need'm so work with what ya get.
my fan gasket(the big round one)was a bear to "keep" on i used weatherstrip glue but it just wanted too slide off.

if you can get your old core redone you'll be better off.

there only is a few "standard"rivits holding the box together but you really dont need too takem off.

the fan unscrews.

heres a few reasons why you dont want a aluminum core.
i ended up useing four of the wire brackets and welding them together too make a longer leg.

i didnt like the huge holes in the box at the nipples so i used valve cover grommets too fill up the gap nicely.

[In The Ten Ring]

Thanks for the advice man. I ordered the big fan gasket from classicheartbeat.com (Wes) yesterday and today the radiator shop called, my core is leaking so I'll have to get a new one.

I will stay away from aluminum, thanks!

[In The Ten Ring]

Originally Posted by midniteblues

you can scrub the outer box real good with just about anything and use a clear coat on it.

most of the gasket sets i've seen are pure junk but you need'm so work with what ya get.
my fan gasket(the big round one)was a bear to "keep" on i used weatherstrip glue but it just wanted too slide off.

if you can get your old core redone you'll be better off.

there only is a few "standard"rivits holding the box together but you really dont need too takem off.

the fan unscrews.

heres a few reasons why you dont want a aluminum core.
i ended up useing four of the wire brackets and welding them together too make a longer leg.

i didnt like the huge holes in the box at the nipples so i used valve cover grommets too fill up the gap nicely.

I like your valve cover grommet idea but what size and where would I get those?

[In The Ten Ring]

Both O'Reilly's and Napa only list aluminum heater cores. Anyone know where a fellow can get a brass and copper one for a 1972 Chevy truck?

[special-K]

What's wrong with your original?

[68 IRON]

Contact Wes....Classic Heartbeat.

[midniteblues]

Originally Posted by In The Ten Ring

I like your valve cover grommet idea but what size and where would I get those?

cant they fix your oe core? they should be able too.if not find another shop that will


as for the grommets i'm not sure i have a good stash of them an just used what i had.

[In The Ten Ring]

My original has a leak, according to the shop I took it to. I'll try again to see if they can fix it. I'll try another shop if I have to.

Wes is sold out of brass and copper ones and GMC Paul's told me today that all they have is aluminum ones and cannot get the brass and copper ones anymore.

C R A P.

[pritch]

I don't know if it will help, but I did this write-up a while back when I redid my heater:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=568897