heater core reinforcement

Topic: heater core reinforcement (Read 2078 times) previous topic - next topic

heater core reinforcement

November 25, 2014, 01:26:24 PM

hey guys, im new here. my dad (jcassity) finally got me to make an account on the site.

attached is a modification to an aftermarket heater core to add a support. to the piping of the heater core. the theory is that it will mimic the oem designed heater core's support solder weld, therefore HOPEFULLY making the heater core less likely to blow from vibration alone.

gotta give credit to my dad for the idea.

let me know your thoughts on the mod.

heater core reinforcement

Reply #1 – November 25, 2014, 04:09:07 PM

Well done. I should've done that to mine before I nstalled it. Too late now. Mine is fine, but added insurance sure can't hurt.

heater core reinforcement

Reply #2 – November 25, 2014, 07:26:12 PM

it, now you come up with and show me this after I installed mine.......... I think that should help alot. Does it feel stiffer if you try and wiggle it?

heater core reinforcement

Reply #3 – November 25, 2014, 08:28:07 PM

That is a definite weak spot on Foxbody cars (as it is on most cars)………..Well Done!
Ron

heater core reinforcement

Reply #4 – November 25, 2014, 08:31:48 PM

if you have the lower intake tubing still in play like most of us do, the engine movement back and forth "should" weaken the pipes and their joints I would think.

nice job chance

heater core reinforcement

Reply #5 – November 25, 2014, 08:47:19 PM

BUT if you use Silicone heater hose there is no chance of a vibration failure. Just saying. By the way a brace between the 2 hose outlets about 1 inch above the core connector works very good. many heater cores have nipple braces across the tubes. What i do is use one of the old nipples from the old core and solder it app 1 inch up across both tubes. This way you support both tubes and connect them together. But good mod my friend

heater core reinforcement

Reply #6 – November 26, 2014, 01:31:15 AM

I agree with tom. A brace between tubes would be easy to add.

heater core reinforcement

Reply #7 – December 05, 2014, 12:22:21 PM

Wish I had thought of that. I've had the whole dash out of my car twice in 26 years and it is no fun. Put in a new core and new evap last time and padded them well but never thought of reinforcing the nipples. True performance engineering, ccassity. And if you go over to the electrical aisle you might still find 40/60 lead solder.

heater core reinforcement

Reply #8 – December 06, 2014, 11:16:53 AM

You know I replaced the heater core on my Thunderbird almost ten years ago with a Motorcraft part (probably one of the last ones that looked like the factory part) and it has supports on the pipe. There is a trick to not breaking the pipes though. When you remove the hoses from the core never, never, ever twist them off in an attempt to remove them. Just cut them off and buy new ones. The extra $20 you spend on hoses is worth it to not have to replace the heater core when you break a tube off trying to twist the heater hose off the core.