Title: Where are you buying your heater cores at?
Post by: T-BirdX3 on January 16, 2012, 09:12:20 PM
Post by: T-BirdX3 on January 16, 2012, 09:12:20 PM
Where is everyone buying their heater cores at?
Ford wants $160 for one....
The one from AZ doesn't fit, the tubes are spaced too far apart and even if you bend it over, it still rubs the firewall. I can't imagine aluminum lasting long rubbing against steel.
The one from Advanced is a about an inch too short (see picture below).
In the picture is three heater cores. The center core is the factory core, the left core is the short core from Advanced, and the one on the right is from AZ and its tubes are too far apart to fit through the firewall hole.
http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee367/T-BirdX3/photobucket-32509-1326765083117.jpg
Ford wants $160 for one....
The one from AZ doesn't fit, the tubes are spaced too far apart and even if you bend it over, it still rubs the firewall. I can't imagine aluminum lasting long rubbing against steel.
The one from Advanced is a about an inch too short (see picture below).
In the picture is three heater cores. The center core is the factory core, the left core is the short core from Advanced, and the one on the right is from AZ and its tubes are too far apart to fit through the firewall hole.
http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee367/T-BirdX3/photobucket-32509-1326765083117.jpg
Title: Where are you buying your heater cores at?
Post by: Haystack on January 16, 2012, 10:16:17 PM
Post by: Haystack on January 16, 2012, 10:16:17 PM
I have a therory that the aluminum ones go bad quicker then the copper/brass ones. Their tubes are also smaller, and probably clogg easier.
The atc(automatic tempeture control) and mtc are different, as are the cores for certain years. Every aluminum autozone I have used went bad in about a year. I also never ran a restrictor or ran a copper/brass one for more then a year.
The atc(automatic tempeture control) and mtc are different, as are the cores for certain years. Every aluminum autozone I have used went bad in about a year. I also never ran a restrictor or ran a copper/brass one for more then a year.
Title: Where are you buying your heater cores at?
Post by: Bruce M on January 16, 2012, 10:23:17 PM
Post by: Bruce M on January 16, 2012, 10:23:17 PM
Dont buy one from Advance or Autozone. I got one from Advance and it went bad in less than a month. I ordered an aluminum core that after one year is doing ok.
Title: Where are you buying your heater cores at?
Post by: jpc647 on January 16, 2012, 10:23:23 PM
Post by: jpc647 on January 16, 2012, 10:23:23 PM
I bought one at CAP. I don't have the slip here at my apart., but It fit without a problem. The short one will probably be okay.
Title: Where are you buying your heater cores at?
Post by: thewestie on January 16, 2012, 10:27:51 PM
Post by: thewestie on January 16, 2012, 10:27:51 PM
Quote from: jpc647;377891
I bought one at CAP. I don't have the slip here at my apart., but It fit without a problem. The short one will probably be okay.
Did you say apartment like you moved? Who's watching the Olds?
Title: Where are you buying your heater cores at?
Post by: Haystack on January 16, 2012, 10:32:06 PM
Post by: Haystack on January 16, 2012, 10:32:06 PM
If they are slightly too small, it should come with a foam seal to go around it, and there is a large rubber one.
Specter is the only maker for all of the aftermarket ones, so buy it where it is cheapest. Every aftermarket one I have seen is just re-branded.
Use a restrictor. I never have, but I used my heater extensively in winter, and never during summer. I have also only gotten the aluminum one.
Specter is the only maker for all of the aftermarket ones, so buy it where it is cheapest. Every aftermarket one I have seen is just re-branded.
Use a restrictor. I never have, but I used my heater extensively in winter, and never during summer. I have also only gotten the aluminum one.
Title: Where are you buying your heater cores at?
Post by: thunderjet302 on January 17, 2012, 12:12:30 AM
Post by: thunderjet302 on January 17, 2012, 12:12:30 AM
Motorcraft and use a restrictor.
Title: Where are you buying your heater cores at?
Post by: T-BirdX3 on January 17, 2012, 09:15:09 AM
Post by: T-BirdX3 on January 17, 2012, 09:15:09 AM
Quote from: Bruce M;377890
Dont buy one from Advance or Autozone. I got one from Advance and it went bad in less than a month. I ordered an aluminum core that after one year is doing ok.
The ones that come from Advanced and AZ are aluminum... The one that you ordered where did you order it from?
Quote from: Haystack;377895
If they are slightly too small, it should come with a foam seal to go around it, and there is a large rubber one.
Specter is the only maker for all of the aftermarket ones, so buy it where it is cheapest. Every aftermarket one I have seen is just re-branded.
Use a restrictor. I never have, but I used my heater extensively in winter, and never during summer. I have also only gotten the aluminum one.
If you look closely at the picture you will notice that the aluminum cores are completely different. The one is almost an inch to short, which means that the core will be supported by the tubes instead of the end tanks.
Quote from: thunderjet302;377907
Motorcraft and use a restrictor.
Where are you buying your Motocraft cores at, and how much are you paying for them? The Ford dealer here wants $160 for a core, that is extremely overpriced IMHO!
Title: Where are you buying your heater cores at?
Post by: nbzimmer on January 17, 2012, 11:04:40 AM
Post by: nbzimmer on January 17, 2012, 11:04:40 AM
The one I put in about 5 or so years ago came from O'Reilly auto. At the time I had serious misgivings about it because I was afraid it wouldn't last. But so far it seems to be doing fine. And from what I remember it was identical to the original, but my memory isn't totally reliable for something that long ago.
Title: Where are you buying your heater cores at?
Post by: Haystack on January 17, 2012, 12:37:55 PM
Post by: Haystack on January 17, 2012, 12:37:55 PM
Quote from: T-BirdX3;377920
The ones that come from Advanced and AZ are aluminum... The one that you ordered where did you order it from?
If you look closely at the picture you will notice that the aluminum cores are completely different. The one is almost an inch to short, which means that the core will be supported by the tubes instead of the end tanks.
Where are you buying your Motocraft cores at, and how much are you paying for them? The Ford dealer here wants $160 for a core, that is extremely overpriced IMHO!
The heater core I received was a bit too small too, but it came with a foam seal and instructions saying to wrap it around the core. Every one except for the brass/copper one I have done came with a different sized heater core, and different sized foam or rubber seal to go around it. Also, if they aren't asking you abut electric or manual heater, you are getting the wrong one.
http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?3522-Replacement-Motorcraft-heater-core-doesn-t-fit-correctly...
There are many many threads about it. The motorcraft one is discountinued, an will get more expensive until it isn't avaliable anymore.
Title: Where are you buying your heater cores at?
Post by: 50tbrd88 on January 17, 2012, 02:17:27 PM
Post by: 50tbrd88 on January 17, 2012, 02:17:27 PM
I put a Advance Auto heater core in my car in 2005 and had no issues at all with fitment. So far no leaks or other problems.
Title: Where are you buying your heater cores at?
Post by: Haystack on January 17, 2012, 03:33:34 PM
Post by: Haystack on January 17, 2012, 03:33:34 PM
I have also received both aluminium and brass/copper cores from orileys, autozone and napa. I've done about 8 of these, all of the aluminim ones went out right near a year and all the brass ones were wrecked or junked before the end of the year.
Title: Where are you buying your heater cores at?
Post by: EricCoolCats on January 17, 2012, 03:54:40 PM
Post by: EricCoolCats on January 17, 2012, 03:54:40 PM
A quick search on Rock Auto:
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php?carcode=1140185&parttype=6864
At least the photos are a good point of reference.
Didn't know what year/engine you had, nor if you had A/C, and ATC or manual.
Ford does go through spurts where they'll make a batch of new heater cores, they go out and get bought, and when that batch starts to dry up the price shoots upward. Quite a few times, people have mentioned not being able to buy the Ford part at all, as it's out of stock. Eventually (several times a year) they do get replenished though. Ford has generally been pretty good about keeping the heater cores produced...probably because they cross-reference with a Mustang (non-ATC cars).
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php?carcode=1140185&parttype=6864
At least the photos are a good point of reference.
Didn't know what year/engine you had, nor if you had A/C, and ATC or manual.
Ford does go through spurts where they'll make a batch of new heater cores, they go out and get bought, and when that batch starts to dry up the price shoots upward. Quite a few times, people have mentioned not being able to buy the Ford part at all, as it's out of stock. Eventually (several times a year) they do get replenished though. Ford has generally been pretty good about keeping the heater cores produced...probably because they cross-reference with a Mustang (non-ATC cars).
Title: Where are you buying your heater cores at?
Post by: daminc on January 17, 2012, 07:00:45 PM
Post by: daminc on January 17, 2012, 07:00:45 PM
I check Rockauto before I go anywhere....most of the new parts on my car are from there.
Title: Where are you buying your heater cores at?
Post by: Bruce M on January 17, 2012, 07:29:40 PM
Post by: Bruce M on January 17, 2012, 07:29:40 PM
I ordered it from a local mom and pop store. I cant remember the brand.
Title: Where are you buying your heater cores at?
Post by: EricCoolCats on January 17, 2012, 07:36:27 PM
Post by: EricCoolCats on January 17, 2012, 07:36:27 PM
I'd have to agree with that, Jerry, for the most part.
But I would also like to add my observations...it does seem that the aluminum cores don't last as long, undoubtedly due to the electrolytic process associated with the coolant flow. In this respect, a copper core is probably a better choice. Getting a good quality copper core, that's the trick. If I were to need a core and didn't want to pay the Ford price, I'd probably head on over to some Mustang boards, or NATO, to see what they have added to the discussion. IIRC the NATO guys like the NAPA cores.
Here's a quick link from LMRS:
http://www.latemodelrestoration.com/Product/Search?q=heater%20core&vehicle=Mustang
Similar from Fox Resto:
http://www.foxresto.com/products/search/query:heater%20core/byYear:86
Additionally, some observations from others have been posted on the infamous heater core page of my site:
http://www.coolcats.net/help/heatercore.html
Tips from soldering a helper brace, to also replacing the blower motor while you're in there...just something to think about.
FYI, the stock Ford core, copper, for a/c cars, manual (non-ATC), is p/n E9LY-18476-A.
Quick search for that: http://www.rearcounter.com/E9LY18476A-parts111209.html
There was also a TSB from Ford years ago concerning the Turbo Coupes (IIRC, 1987-88 but could be older non-intercooled models as well). If a car kept killing heater cores at an abnormal rate, Ford's suggestion was to solder a piece of copper wiring onto the core housing, run it outside into the engine bay, and ground it to the block, to help slow down electrolysis. I'm thinking that may solve problems for anyone with abnormally failing cores...assuming the cores weren't POS's to begin with. ;)
But I would also like to add my observations...it does seem that the aluminum cores don't last as long, undoubtedly due to the electrolytic process associated with the coolant flow. In this respect, a copper core is probably a better choice. Getting a good quality copper core, that's the trick. If I were to need a core and didn't want to pay the Ford price, I'd probably head on over to some Mustang boards, or NATO, to see what they have added to the discussion. IIRC the NATO guys like the NAPA cores.
Here's a quick link from LMRS:
http://www.latemodelrestoration.com/Product/Search?q=heater%20core&vehicle=Mustang
Similar from Fox Resto:
http://www.foxresto.com/products/search/query:heater%20core/byYear:86
Additionally, some observations from others have been posted on the infamous heater core page of my site:
http://www.coolcats.net/help/heatercore.html
Tips from soldering a helper brace, to also replacing the blower motor while you're in there...just something to think about.
FYI, the stock Ford core, copper, for a/c cars, manual (non-ATC), is p/n E9LY-18476-A.
Quick search for that: http://www.rearcounter.com/E9LY18476A-parts111209.html
There was also a TSB from Ford years ago concerning the Turbo Coupes (IIRC, 1987-88 but could be older non-intercooled models as well). If a car kept killing heater cores at an abnormal rate, Ford's suggestion was to solder a piece of copper wiring onto the core housing, run it outside into the engine bay, and ground it to the block, to help slow down electrolysis. I'm thinking that may solve problems for anyone with abnormally failing cores...assuming the cores weren't POS's to begin with. ;)
Title: Where are you buying your heater cores at?
Post by: mcb82gt on January 17, 2012, 08:48:10 PM
Post by: mcb82gt on January 17, 2012, 08:48:10 PM
Interesting.
What size wire? Any ground, or does it have to go to the block?
What size wire? Any ground, or does it have to go to the block?
Title: Where are you buying your heater cores at?
Post by: EricCoolCats on January 17, 2012, 09:46:19 PM
Post by: EricCoolCats on January 17, 2012, 09:46:19 PM
Direct to block is always the best ground.
I would think any home electrical ground wire is sufficient enough.
I would think any home electrical ground wire is sufficient enough.
Title: Where are you buying your heater cores at?
Post by: 88cougarfan on January 18, 2012, 01:28:12 AM
Post by: 88cougarfan on January 18, 2012, 01:28:12 AM
I get all of my Motorcraft parts at Circle Distributing (online) http://www.cdiautoparts.com
Most of the time they have the original equipment parts at wholesale prices. I checked on the Cougar heater core and they didn't have the OEM Ford core but they did stock the AC Delco for $28.77.
http://c2c.activant.com/ctoc/index.jsp?ID=fBS16GCw.CU5_Oy9_CUdEM2REUVFxS1UMSndRTAkBEQAA (http://"http://c2c.activant.com/ctoc/index.jsp?ID=fBS16GCw.CU5_Oy9_CUdEM2REUVFxS1UMSndRTAkBEQAA")
Most of the time they have the original equipment parts at wholesale prices. I checked on the Cougar heater core and they didn't have the OEM Ford core but they did stock the AC Delco for $28.77.
http://c2c.activant.com/ctoc/index.jsp?ID=fBS16GCw.CU5_Oy9_CUdEM2REUVFxS1UMSndRTAkBEQAA (http://"http://c2c.activant.com/ctoc/index.jsp?ID=fBS16GCw.CU5_Oy9_CUdEM2REUVFxS1UMSndRTAkBEQAA")
Title: Where are you buying your heater cores at?
Post by: jpc647 on January 18, 2012, 09:17:26 AM
Post by: jpc647 on January 18, 2012, 09:17:26 AM
Quote from: thewestie;377894
Did you say apartment like you moved? Who's watching the Olds?
Well back to school for the semester. Home quite a bit, still working in Worcester occasionally. Olds safely covered away in my garage till the snow/salt it come.
Title: Where are you buying your heater cores at?
Post by: JKATHRE on January 18, 2012, 03:53:57 PM
Post by: JKATHRE on January 18, 2012, 03:53:57 PM
Oh Boy, I just did a Core on my 89 Lincoln last month--in fact, Christmas Eve. I went to Advanced at 4:30pm as they were still open for 30 more minutes. Luckily I brought the old core with me. The counter guy looks up the core and brings the box up front. I looked at the core and told him "This replacement is way to small and different than mine." The replacement was physically smaller; all aluminum and the pipes were mounted differently. He then remarks--maybe you have a mid-year core meaning that they put an 1988 core into your '89! He looks up an 1988 core and brings that back to the counter--and lo and behold, that one is identical with mine. I was impressed with his calm approach in resolving this as well as my not having made the mistake of blindly walking out the door with the wrong part on Christmas Eve (Saturday). It would have been Tuesday am before I could return and I would be at work anyway. As a result, I was able to finish the job on Christmas day!! I was told that when auto makers switch production on model years, they often continue to use prior model year parts on new production--making it fuzzy to buy parts accurately. Shown is the good replacement vs old leaky one. Are you sure that maybe this happened to you? 
Title: Where are you buying your heater cores at?
Post by: thunderjet302 on January 18, 2012, 04:04:52 PM
Post by: thunderjet302 on January 18, 2012, 04:04:52 PM
Quote from: T-BirdX3;377920
Where are you buying your Motocraft cores at, and how much are you paying for them? The Ford dealer here wants $160 for a core, that is extremely overpriced IMHO!
I have a local shop that is an independent Motorcraft dealer. When I bought my core I paid $60, but that was eight years ago.
Title: Where are you buying your heater cores at?
Post by: T-BirdX3 on January 19, 2012, 10:56:16 AM
Post by: T-BirdX3 on January 19, 2012, 10:56:16 AM
Quote from: Haystack;377929
The heater core I received was a bit too small too, but it came with a foam seal and instructions saying to wrap it around the core. Every one except for the brass/copper one I have done came with a different sized heater core, and different sized foam or rubber seal to go around it. Also, if they aren't asking you abut electric or manual heater, you are getting the wrong one.
http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?3522-Replacement-Motorcraft-heater-core-doesn-t-fit-correctly...
There are many many threads about it. The motorcraft one is discountinued, an will get more expensive until it isn't avaliable anymore.
[COLOR="darkred"]A bit too small is one thing, but the one unit is literally an inch too short. That is a lot to make up for with some foam padding. I also did not realize their is a difference between the cores depending on whether it is manual heat or not. Learn something new everyday, thanks![/COLOR]
[COLOR="darkred"]I found a lot of threads but most of them were very old, like the one you quoted, it is going on eight years old. I was hoping for more up to date information, so much has changed since the 2008 nightmare[/COLOR].
Quote from: EricCoolCats;377946
A quick search on Rock Auto:
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php?carcode=1140185&parttype=6864
At least the photos are a good point of reference.
Didn't know what year/engine you had, nor if you had A/C, and ATC or manual.
[COLOR="darkred"]Thanks for the reference with Rockauto, I have never used them before. The local NAPA had a picture of the copper core, but had the aluminum core that I already tried.[/COLOR]
Ford does go through spurts where they'll make a batch of new heater cores, they go out and get bought, and when that batch starts to dry up the price shoots upward. Quite a few times, people have mentioned not being able to buy the Ford part at all, as it's out of stock. Eventually (several times a year) they do get replenished though. Ford has generally been pretty good about keeping the heater cores produced...probably because they cross-reference with a Mustang (non-ATC cars).
Quote from: daminc;377952
I check Rockauto before I go anywhere....most of the new parts on my car are from there.
[COLOR="darkred"]Thanks, will definitely give them a try next time![/COLOR]
Quote from: EricCoolCats;377957
I'd have to agree with that, Jerry, for the most part.
But I would also like to add my observations...it does seem that the aluminum cores don't last as long, undoubtedly due to the electrolytic process associated with the coolant flow. In this respect, a copper core is probably a better choice. Getting a good quality copper core, that's the trick. If I were to need a core and didn't want to pay the Ford price, I'd probably head on over to some Mustang boards, or NATO, to see what they have added to the discussion. IIRC the NATO guys like the NAPA cores.
[COLOR="darkred"]NATO prefers NAPA and FoMoCo, but Napa is now selling the same unit everyone else is. I will search the forums listed below.[/COLOR]
Here's a quick link from LMRS:
http://www.latemodelrestoration.com/Product/Search?q=heater%20core&vehicle=Mustang
Similar from Fox Resto:
http://www.foxresto.com/products/search/query:heater%20core/byYear:86
Additionally, some observations from others have been posted on the infamous heater core page of my site:
http://www.coolcats.net/help/heatercore.html
Tips from soldering a helper brace, to also replacing the blower motor while you're in there...just something to think about.
FYI, the stock Ford core, copper, for a/c cars, manual (non-ATC), is p/n E9LY-18476-A.
Quick search for that: http://www.rearcounter.com/E9LY18476A-parts111209.html
There was also a TSB from Ford years ago concerning the Turbo Coupes (IIRC, 1987-88 but could be older non-intercooled models as well). If a car kept killing heater cores at an abnormal rate, Ford's suggestion was to solder a piece of copper wiring onto the core housing, run it outside into the engine bay, and ground it to the block, to help slow down electrolysis. I'm thinking that may solve problems for anyone with abnormally failing cores...assuming the cores weren't POS's to begin with. ;)
[COLOR="darkred"]
This is the first time I have read anything about this, wonder if anyone on here has tried this before.[/COLOR]
Quote from: 88cougarfan;377972
I get all of my Motorcraft parts at Circle Distributing (online) http://www.cdiautoparts.com
[COLOR="darkred"]Thanks, I hate paying the stealership for their overpriced parts.[/COLOR]
Most of the time they have the original equipment parts at wholesale prices. I checked on the Cougar heater core and they didn't have the OEM Ford core but they did stock the AC Delco for $28.77.
http://c2c.activant.com/ctoc/index.jsp?ID=fBS16GCw.CU5_Oy9_CUdEM2REUVFxS1UMSndRTAkBEQAA (http://"http://c2c.activant.com/ctoc/index.jsp?ID=fBS16GCw.CU5_Oy9_CUdEM2REUVFxS1UMSndRTAkBEQAA")
Quote from: thunderjet302;378022
I have a local shop that is an independent Motorcraft dealer. When I bought my core I paid $60, but that was eight years ago.
[COLOR="darkred"]
You should have bought several for spares! lol[/COLOR]
Title: Where are you buying your heater cores at?
Post by: T-BirdX3 on January 19, 2012, 10:59:31 AM
Post by: T-BirdX3 on January 19, 2012, 10:59:31 AM
I ended up finding an older copper core that had been sitting on the shelf at NAPA in the next town over. The NAPA salesman said it came from before the supplier switch. He went onto to say that NAPA didn't use to switch suppliers at all, but now they switch suppliers frequently.
I put this photo together for future reference for myself and anyone else that it might help.
http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee367/T-BirdX3/photobucket-5312-1326901522535-1.jpg
I put this photo together for future reference for myself and anyone else that it might help.
http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee367/T-BirdX3/photobucket-5312-1326901522535-1.jpg