New heater core problem..

[HIGHWAY BY THE SEA]

I have been fixing my heater system in the 67 GMC (yeah I know it is summer) and have hit a snag. I went to the local parts store that I always use, and found that the heater core they sold me (aluminum) will NOT fit with the two mounting brackets.
The sides of the core that the brackets hold down are too fat to fit. Has anyone lese noticed this issue with new heater cores? The parts store was NOT able to get any other type either.
Is there some new type of fatter mounting brackets that hold the heater cores in place?

[68Gold/white]

Might be helpful to post a picture of old core in brackets and new core in brackets...

[Mbeef61]

I got mine to fit. It was a little wider. The brackets have to go on a specific way. Also I had to trim/sand the points off the screws that hold the brackets to the housing. Since it is wider, if you just screwed the screws into it they would go right into the core. I sanded the points off them and now I have like 1/16-1/8 space between screw tips and the core

[HIGHWAY BY THE SEA]

Originally Posted by Mbeef61

I got mine to fit. It was a little wider. The brackets have to go on a specific way. Also I had to trim/sand the points off the screws that hold the brackets to the housing. Since it is wider, if you just screwed the screws into it they would go right into the core. I sanded the points off them and now I have like 1/16-1/8 space between screw tips and the core

Can you post pictures of how you managed to accomplish this? I tend to shy away from altering things that do not fit like factory specs. I could NOT get my brackets to seat this core at all.

[Redneck Rydes]

I had the same problem,got the aluminum one and was not impressed, sent ot back and found a old one in my stash,sent it to the rad shop and they record it,works perfect

[Mbeef61]

I don’t have pictures. I don’t often take pics of repairs like that. I probably should. Anyways. I remember the stock one I removed with the brackets was looser. They brackets easily fit in place. I remember they fell off easily when I took it out. And I remember when I put the brackets on the aluminum one it was snug. It didn’t bind at all but tight enough it wouldn’t rattle or fall off. I recall having to put onto the tube side first then rotate it over the end to the other (flat side)side. I remember having to play with it and thinking I was going to have the same issue. I remember taking measurements and it was in fact wider. And with a test fit I saw that the screws were long enough to puncture if tightened all the way. I just grounded down the screw tips. It had no effect on the fastening since the area ground down were past the brackets and just sitting in space.

[HeavyHauler]

I watched video on youtube where a guy was explaining that the majority of aftermarket aluminum heater cores are just thicker than stock and he goes on to show how he fixes the hold downs by welding on more material to the hold downs.

[Redneck Rydes]

I'm sorry,but a replacement part should not have to be modified to fit,if they can't reproduce a part to fit in it original location,then it should be not sold,say you bought a window regulator and you had to cut and weld it to fit, would you buy it? No more comments.

[Mbeef61]

If only it were that simple. That would be nice. Unfortunately it isn’t often the case..

[HIGHWAY BY THE SEA]

What INFURIATES me is that the factory-fitting correct ones have been readily available for the last 50 plus years, THEN some corporate moron decides to make a new type THAT DOES NOT FIT, and the factory-correct ones all VANISH. I may try to find a NOS one at a dealership or something. To HELL with altering the factory specs.

[70STOVEBOLT]

Is this for a/c or non-a/c? I bought one for my '70 from NAPA a couple years ago, and it was a Ready-Aire brand, P/N 399067. It is copper not aluminum. There is one on Amazon currently that carries that P/N but is a Transpro brand, see the link below:

https://www.amazon.com/Transpro-Auto.../dp/B072M3M687

[70STOVEBOLT]

Here is another that specifically states in the description that it is copper based with soldered joints:

https://p-s-t.com/i-23158391-heater-core.html

[Astro-Balls]

Try here..
http://www.radiatorexpress.com/part-...up/base/65l-v8

[toolboxchev]

X2 on those. Exact fit works well mine is over 10 years new now.

[RodnRudy]

https://www.npdlink.com/1947-1998-chevy-truck

I used one from these guys on my 68 non ac. Fit is right on and copper brass.