Heater Core

[chevysscamaro68]

I'm changing my heater core, and it is a PITA, I loosened the 5 nuts off engine side box, took glove box out, and have gotten the inner box out , and I have the old core out. Now I am waiting for seals to come in the mail. But here is my problem, I ordered my heater core from O'reilly's and it is exactly 1/2 inch thicker than the original. And the tubes seem to be bent differently. I have a non A/C car. I tried to get the new core thru the holes , just to see if I could, and I did not succeed, I think I could If I had another person on the engine side, but the box on that side is very hard to pry out .
Has anyone had one that was 1/2 inch thicker than original? I have read other posts and seems that aftermarkets are thinner than original. Wondering if I have the correct one or not?

[hotrod68]

How in the world did you get the old one out without loosening the fender and fenderwell? You must be one heckuva a wrench! I tip my hat.

[rich69rs]

When I changed mine a couple of years ago I went with a repro unit from Year One.  It was a very good reproduction, fit well, no problems.  Probably the same from supplier to all of the aftermarket suppliers.

Richard

[GIBSTER]

Checker auto, auto zone, pepboys all had the wrong one listed in their books,  got the correct one at napa

[firstgenaddict]

I replaced one about a 3 months ago with out loosening the fender or inner fender as well.
It was a PITA but then again so would have taking loose the fender.

Inside was the bigger PITA!!!

[chevysscamaro68]

ordered a 69 heater core, it was correct, minor adjustments to the pipes and in she went.
Thanks everyone.

[cib12]

if the tubes are good in your orginial heater core, a good radiator shop can recore it and use your old end caps- a new heater core-they pressure check it after repair

[mvara71]

I know this is an old add but I would like to put my input if I can, I just did my heater core, I bought all the parts from Napa Auto parts, my heater was not working properly and I was debating if I wanted to do the work `cause unlike you guys I had to take the hood and the fender out . It took me at least ten hours to do the job by myself , me been anal, it turn out to be that there was a mouse nest, it really look like someone blew a pillow inside the core unit they got in throu the heater fan, My advise is while you are there replace the heater fan and also put chicken wire around the fan hole so those little basters don`t get in there again. I am glad I did it my heater works the best and it does`nt smell like pee.