Heater Core

[84cutspreme]

Hey guys. so pulled lid off of ac/heat box to change evaporator. Decided I should swap out heater core because it looks original and showed signs of leaking. new one is spectra. distance between to ports are closer together than original so seal doesnt fit. also looks like also because of this the bracket that holds core doesnt fit...anyone have any input or better quality core?

 

[pontiacgp]

I would get the original heater core repaired

 

[565bbchevy]

I put a new Spectra heater core in my 86' Regal and it was identical to my factory one other being made of aluminum.

 

[84cutspreme]

hmm really thinking about repairing original but tubes are pretty oval from years of abuse. I attached pics to see how much different they are. also the bracket hits tubes way before it will seat properly

 

[84cutspreme]

Hmm I just checked and this is not spectra it is adpi. going to get spectra one now 🤞

 

[oldsofb]

There may be a good chance that both will have been made by the same manufacturer. It seems a lot for places get the same parts and re badge under their name. Not always, but a lot. Curious to see a comparison of ADPI and Spectra. The one I got was a Spectra and it wasn't a complete match. I had to bend the hold down to work and notch the smaller hole in the foam to get it to fit.

These things will happen. My A/C Evap line for the Orifice Tube was waaay off. I had to nervously bend it to make it fit. Aftermarket is never perfect, but neither is life.

Hutch

 

[84cutspreme]

well update is spectra is definitely the better of the two. at least spacing between inlet/outlet is much closer to original. the bracket to hold down still fits like crap but better than adpi one still. so imo spectra is better option. did you guys do anything to raise new one? both adpi and spectra ones are shorter than original by about 1/2”?

 

[oldsofb]

Good to hear there was a difference in the two for the good.

I just "modified" the hold down bracket to make it work. Here it is installed.

Hutch

 

[airboatgreg]

Hard to find a perfect fit. Take the old one with you. I think the days of repairing heater cores and radiators for cars are about gone

 

[84cutspreme]

just an fyi. Struggled to find foam similar to factory. Dense foam that came with ac box gasket kit from mikes monte didn’t really work well because of differences in replacement heater core. Found this foam at hobby lobby that worked beautifully and was very very close to original stuff.

Felting Foam | Hobby Lobby | 1275734

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