So I finally tore the dash out that I was afraid to touch for over 5 years, only really need to replace the dash panel/bubble.

I pulled the heater core out because I had trace amounts of antifreeze and an antifreeze odor on rare occasions in the cab. I figured I was due like so many others. Upon further inspection of the core I found no visible traces of the core its self leaking, but do have to question this slight bulge in the top tank. Is this normal for the OEM units?


Next is the replacement unit... I noticed its core thickness was slimmer, I cant decide if thats good/bad/indifferent. But I do have some severe skepticism over the pinched swivel fitting, that looks like a leak waiting to happen in a matter of years..




Should I use the replacement core I have, or find a different one, or use the OEM one that I cant see anything wrong with except that bulge on top. Is that bulge normal?

 

I would replace it since you have it out. When i replaced mine 2 or 3 years ago, Oreillys
had either aluminum or copper, so i went with copper.

 

You think that goofy swivel fitting is gonna last another 15 years? Im terrified it wont lol

 

What brand is the aftermarket one? Just wondering.

Also I have heard that the Modine is lifetime warranty, and better than OEM.

 

That looks a bit sketchy... those fittings at the connection.

 

Hmmm i cannot recall the brand, once i get off work in a few hours i can post the name. Its from pronto auto part supply group.

 

Text messages can be really neat...

OSC Automotive cooling products

 

Mann, the old one looks damn good... Clean as hell. I've figured my days are numbered on the 98. Still using the original core.

Your still using that built supercharged engine correct?

So where's the odor coming from then? Is it coming from the cross over tap perhaps. If I recall, you did a little re-working. I believe that was a coolant cross-over mod/-back of the intake, by the firewall and @ the water jackets?

That maybe leaking intermittently, -under certain conditions (system pressures) and dowsing the firewall when it does.

Btw- Hope you and the little one (prob not so little anymore lol) are doing well.

 

Still using the blown 5.4 once i finish rebuilding it. The leak had to be old orings in the old hoses, as there is a slight discoloration on the bottom of pipe to a bend that is inside the cab. There was a few times last winter i seen water or antifreeze on floor board. Still no traces the core leaked, which sucks too lol. So im trying to figure out whats best now, test and reuse old one? Find a different new core? Is that bulge on the old one suppose to be there or did have a blow-by issue?

Little ones been good and growin fast enough

 

I found some pics of oem heater cores at tasca and it looks like that bulge is normal. At least from what I can see. The pic is not very clear

I would think you would see issues in other places if you had blow by that bad. Places like the overflow, cap, hoses or something.

 

IMO you were just smelling coolant from the engine that worked it's way into your cab. Unfortunate to go through all that trouble because of that. At least you tackled a job you were a bit afraid of, and for that you get learning points and experience. You can help another one on here one day. Me, I would wait until I seen a puddle before I tackled a core replacement. I have read by others here with lots of experience that it was a bear. Can you help those that don't know by listing what all you had to take apart, the order you did it and how long it took? In that way you can help the community.

On replacing it, I would probably keep the old one, but not sure. You have to look at the old core and see if you see a weakness developing. At least trade it in for a core you have confidence in.

 

I called a radiator shop locally, he told me I'm not the first one to panic for no reason. Even the new manufacture vehicles are rolling out the plants with these swivel fittings, yes there's an o-ring but for several years vehicles have been utilizing this style. "they must think it works"



OH! I forgot I wanted to ask this, one of the factory hoses has some sort of restricter in the hose, clamped in the middle... My "new formed hose" does not have it, do I need it? Also don't have the crimped quick connect fittings, I could do hose clamps but that concerns me.

 

http://www.completeradiators.com/sho...t=Heater+Cores

I just looked for the modine and it looks like it might have the same crimp thingie? They are lifetime though. I think the price was 65-70 bucks, don't know what you are paying for the one you got.

Hope the link works.

 

I've read in one of there tsb's, - if the line came with a restrictor, yes, re-install the restrictor. If it did not, then don't install one.

That bit of info really didn't help me as the restrictor wouldn't fit into my new hoses secure enough for my liking. I left it out. That was 6 years ago.

Anyway, here's some info that may help, iduno -



____________________________

If your using clamps, - these work well and don't chew into the rubber. Just can't over torque them and they require much. They've worked for me so far, -

 

hum, mines in the middle of the hose, it dont look much fun to pull out.
twss!