Heater Core - keep or get new?

[JWW]

I have finally disassembled my heater box. I do not plan to drill out the rivets; I will try to clean the best I can. I would like some advise on the heater core itself. Is there a way to check for leaks at home? Finding a radiator shop these days is hard and a new core is not too expensive. I'm curious what you all have done. Thanks

[Fraser]

In the past, I have just run a garden hose in both directions until it runs clear. If you can't pressure test it how about vacuum? I have no experience with the repops, so no opinion there.
Was your heater full of mice? I have found they will return no matter how much you clean, however painting the inside of the plenum seems to seal their scent so they are not drawn back.

[jzjames]

Heater core; mine leaked and I just got a new one. Radiator shop said he didnt recore those.

[JWW]

In the past, I have just run a garden hose in both directions until it runs clear. If you can't pressure test it how about vacuum? I have no experience with the repops, so no opinion there.
Was your heater full of mice? I have found they will return no matter how much you clean, however painting the inside of the plenum seems to seal their scent so they are not drawn back.

Thanks, luckily no mice. I'll do some cleaning with a hose and see how it ends up.

Heater core; mine leaked and I just got a new one. Radiator shop said he didnt recore those.

Makes sense. Hard to find anyone any longer that does this type of work.

[cep62]

You could use a bicycle inner tube and pressurize it and dunk it in a tub of water to check for leaks.
But I hate doings things twice , if I have it apart I'd probably put a new one in .

[JWW]

But I hate doings things twice , if I have it apart I'd probably put a new one in .

Thanks, think I’ll get a new one.

[basketcase0302]

Def worth the $58 dollars investment! The rivets really aren't that big of a deal and by going into the box you'll also find it needed some new foam weatherstripping to properly seal air that was by-passing the heater core.
DC is out of them but I bet LMC or my fav NPD has them:

https://www.dennis-carpenter.com/trucks ... wstd-heate

[Mach428]

You are working on a vehicle over 50 years old. If you can’t find a radiator shop to recore your original (absolute best option in my opinion because you know it fits) then invest the coin for a new one. Your time is worth more than doing this job more than once.

[JWW]

Def worth the $58 dollars investment! The rivets really aren't that big of a deal and by going into the box you'll also find it needed some new foam weatherstripping to properly seal air that was by-passing the heater core.
DC is out of them but I bet LMC or my fav NPD has them:

https://www.dennis-carpenter.com/trucks ... wstd-heate

Thanks. I found most everything on LMC. I’ll drill the rivets out since I have it out of the truck.

[JWW]

You are working on a vehicle over 50 years old. If you can’t find a radiator shop to recore your original (absolute best option in my opinion because you know it fits) then invest the coin for a new one. Your time is worth more than doing this job more than once.

Agree, thanks. It feels good to refurbish what you can too.