1st Gen Heater Core

Another one,,,,,,

https://vintage-vans.forumotion.com/t15816-new-heater-core

I got it in hand... I'll be swapping it in soon. I will take detailed pics and post measurements comparing the new vista aire core to the factory core. Stay tuned!

The "Governor" rules when it come to information! Don you are the "Best"! IMHO

We have a match. It looks to me like this will fit and work perfectly! The new core: vista pro ready aire part number 398237, I ordered from advance auto parts online is very, very close to being exactly the same dimensions as the factory core. Same thickness, same height. The width is slightly smaller by only about 1/8". The end tanks are essentially the same, but have cosmetic differences. The new tanks do not have the little ridges that the original tanks have. The other difference is the tubes seem to be the same length as the originals, but have a slightly different bend location near the end of the tubes. They are the same diameter as the originals, one is 5/8", the other is 3/4". You can see the difference in the bends in the pics. The bend in question will be below the floor when installed. I don't think any of these minor difference will be an issue or problem.


I repainted my heater box, so I am waiting until tomorrow to reassemble to give the fresh paint a chance to cure.

New heater core is on the left:

Thanks y'all on this chase.One more part thats available to retrofit theses old rides.Next?
Don,I like your choices of adjectives(<yes,I used the spull checker) on the core tubes; horns/ponytail

Update on the heater core... got it installed and it fits well and works great. I now have a working heater and defroster! woohoo!!

The only thing I had to do was bend those tubes by hand just a little bit to make everything fit just right during the install... no big deal.

Joe, A heater/defroster is sure nice around here. Bill

I went to the Advance auto parts website and typed in that part # 398237 and the picture of the heater core that popped up didnt have a "ponytail" ?

I wonder if we could call them and ask 'em to look at it for us ?

And to add,on the phone,the order taker(sales rep)usually don't have one iota of a clue whats goin on.Just the same pic that we see as well.He's just takin an order.

no, they see a part number and dont know the difference between a spark plug and a quart of oil.

sparky wrote:I went to the Advance auto parts website and typed in that part # 398237 and the picture of the heater core that popped up didnt have a "ponytail" ?

Don't worry about the photo on their website. I know it is confusing because the photo on their website is simply of a generic heater core... not the actual part! Order part #398237 for 1964-66 chevy van. That is the heater core I purchased and posted pics of. It fits 1st gen chevy van and works great. I've been driving my van all over the place now that I have heat!

Advance auto online is offering 20% off all parts up to a $50 discount using code P20 when you check out.. sale is through Dec 24th!

May seem like a basic question, but how do you know if your heater core puts out what it should? I was getting a 55 degree outdoor temp on my phone and my van was running 19o degrees on the thermo at Interstate speeds. Thermo is accurate to within 5 degrees.

It never really got warm enough. When I let the thermo hit 195 but cutting the fan to low, it seemed to make a little more difference, but nothing significant. I do have some draft coming from the door. Rear cargo area is insulated and carpeted. Not sure what is a reasonable expectation. I wondered if the engine was warm enough to make enough heat?

Mine seems to warm up fairly cozy, had it out in some 30* weather last week. It made me wonder if that old tin can I had in high school was running somewhat plugged. Might be worth trying to back flush it ? Got a buddy with a IR temp reader? If the core temp is good , it might be air restricted where it faces the opening into the grill area with stuff. Its not hard to pop the blower off to get at it to check a couple things , or blow it out with air maybe.

Yeah I agree, I have had limited short term results from backflushing heater cores as a rule.

Lazarusvan wrote:May seem like a basic question, but how do you know if your heater core puts out what it should? I was getting a 55 degree outdoor temp on my phone and my van was running 19o degrees on the thermo at Interstate speeds. Thermo is accurate to within 5 degrees.

It never really got warm enough. When I let the thermo hit 195 but cutting the fan to low, it seemed to make a little more difference, but nothing significant. I do have some draft coming from the door. Rear cargo area is insulated and carpeted. Not sure what is a reasonable expectation. I wondered if the engine was warm enough to make enough heat?

That sounds like the problem I was having. My heater core was all clogged up so it wasn't putting out any heat. It was actually heavier than the old one from all the crud that was stuck in there. After 45 years, these need to be replaced. Replace the hoses too. With the new core, my van is now warm and toasty, even on the coldest days

Thanks, guys. No stop leak for me (right Digz ?)

The old radiator had been replaced recently after it had been flushed and was still not cooling the van down, so gunk is a good possibility. Only good thing about replacing all the stuff since purchase is at least I know what I've got...