Heater Core Repair or Replace?

[Shizap]

Hey guys,
I recently discovered the heater core on my 1990 Zr1 was leaking. I just got it out and now I am trying to decide whether to replace it or have someone repair it. The aluminum replacement I bought looks on the cheap side and the pipes will need to be bent to make it work. I really don't want to ever have to do this job again. Is there a high quality replacement out there? Has anyone had success repairing the original heater core?

[GOLDCYLON]

Replace only. I would not try mending a 33 year old Heater core. While you are there you might want to replace the blend door actuator as it's a bear of a project to get in there

[Dynomite]

Hey guys,
I recently discovered the heater core on my 1990 Zr1 was leaking. Is there a high quality replacement out there?

Replace only.

As GOLDCYLON says...."Replace Only" :thumbsup:

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.corvetteforum.com-vbulletin/400x400-1/80-47b397fa_9989_44a0_8840_7900a65f8c13_1__f1639e11cc 7e80ad37dd77c133d9490260add840.jpg

Post 135 - Replacing the Heater Core and Heater Hose Connection (http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-zr-1-discussion/3005470-tech-info-lt5-modifications-rebuild-tricks-500-hp-7.html#post1585219751)

[Shizap]

Thanks for the advice guys, I am just going to return the aluminum heater core and purchase the more expensive copper one from Zip corvette. Hopefully the fitment is better. Also, thanks for the great write up on how to remove the heater core Dynomite, it definitely saved me some time without having to remove the dash!

[GOLDCYLON]

Thanks for the advice guys, I am just going to return the aluminum heater core and purchase the more expensive copper one from Zip corvette. Hopefully the fitment is better. Also, thanks for the great write up on how to remove the heater core Dynomite, it definitely saved me some time without having to remove the dash!

Cliff is the man !!!!! His solutions have saved many a ZR-1 owners time and given them the knowledge to take the projects on. :cheers:

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Cliff is the man !!!!! His solutions have saved many a ZR-1 owners time and given them the knowledge to take the projects on. :cheers:

I could not agree more with GC!! The info he has put together cannot even be put into words. I know I cannot thank him enough.

Cliff,
Since you have several years of Zs, have you needed to do the 95 and will it be any different if not removing the dash? I was going the cheater route this weekend and doing a bypass. I thought eventually I would repair when retired as I just dread this more than pulling the motor and installing new cams. Thank you. If I were still in Hawaii I would just bypass and forget it, but it would be nice to have heat here in Japan.

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Hey guys,
I recently discovered the heater core on my 1990 Zr1 was leaking. I just got it out and now I am trying to decide whether to replace it or have someone repair it. The aluminum replacement I bought looks on the cheap side and the pipes will need to be bent to make it work. I really don't want to ever have to do this job again. Is there a high quality replacement out there? Has anyone had success repairing the original heater core?

Best wishes with your replacement. You give me some encouragement and make it sound easy, but I can imagine it is a project no one ever wants to do even once. I bought a replacement over 20 years ago for my first Z and never needed it. I will dig it up and check the quality. I would like to have it pressure tested first. I hope you find a good one.

[Dynomite]

Cliff,
Since you have several years of Zs, have you needed to do the 95 and will it be any different if not removing the dash

My Heater Core on 1990 (#3032) started leaking on floorboard passenger side So.......had to remove some carpet to get rid of antifreeze smell and just worked up under the passenger side dash (had been there before removing the CDM in another 1990 ZR-1).

I am assuming the 95' would be very similar.....except the CDM on 1995 is behind passenger seat :thumbsup:

I did pull the passenger seat before pulling the heater core on a 1990 ZR-1 :thumbsup:

[secondchance]

Hey Cliff,

I have yet to read your write up on removing the heatercore but when I did a 92 Wazoo car, only thing I can think of to avoid pulling the dash was cutting the heater core inlet and outlet and splicing the inlet and outlet to a new heater core.
I ended up removing the dash and the whole thing took about 8 hours. At the end I was left with a plastic tube about the size of my thumb and three 7mm screws. I think the plastic tube probably was a connection to side window defroster vent on the edge of the dashboard.
Having replaced the heatercore once, I have been religious about replacing the coolant every two years.:cheers:

[HAWAIIZR-1]

My Heater Core on 1990 (#3032) started leaking on floorboard passenger side So.......had to remove some carpet to get rid of antifreeze smell and just worked up under the passenger side dash (had been there before removing the CDM in another 1990 ZR-1).

I am assuming the 95' would be very similar.....except the CDM on 1995 is behind passenger seat :thumbsup:

I did pull the passenger seat before pulling the heater core on a 1990 ZR-1 :thumbsup:

Hey Cliff, Thanks for the reply. In theory it should be easier then without CDM there, but probably replaced with some other crap. I guess only one way to find out. I?ll take a peek under there when I install my stereo in a few weeks. Wish me luck.

[Matt B]

I can not recommend the shortcuts... Pull the dash and do it right. It's still gonna be a hell of a job.
But the work space down there it SO tight that only without the dash in place a (kinda) comfortable job is possible. The additional hours are a good investment IMHO

[dredgeguy]

When Wazoo did mine, took the whole day with all hands on deck.