1st Gen Heater Core

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...

Dumbass alert: It helps when the switch is turned "on." I wondered why it had gotten warm last time and all the sudden stopped working... Our weather was briefly cold and then got warm (sorry snowbirds). We'll be back up to 65 degrees this Friday.

At least I can admit my shortcomings...

Great thread.
I'll be doing mine (2nd Gen) as well. Radiator is leaking now. Going to do both units including hoses.
Has anyone sourced new 2nd Gen radiators?

Downflow. The 2nd Gen 6Cyl radiator in your more than excellent photo is it I believe.

Thanks Don,
I see new radiators like this listed for my vehicle. What are the dimensions of the one in the photo and do you know if/where the brackets would be available?

Do you still have these parts? If so, would you like to sell them?

Don,

Is this the best setup to go with for a V8 given the extra volume? I am watching an expansion tank on Ebay right now.