Aftermarket heater core interest

[Delta VS]

Is there an improvement over OEM (serious question, I know very little about this particular part other then I've had to have it replaced).

If my newish one ever s***s the bed I'd def be down to try yours. Unless there's some big benefit to swapping sooner if just wait until that happens, though.

Definitely NOT something that would be on the list of “I’ll just do this now” type projects. Just had a VERY hard time sourcing one for a recent project and figure it would be good to make that easier.

Would be hard pressed to claim a superior product over any OE Mr. T part number.

 

[cowboyjack]

Mine is fine for now... but I’d LOVE to have a brand spanking new one available for purchase when the time comes, let alone one from y’all.

 

[slow95z]

I know the early ones are all the same but there was a change somewhere in the obd2 rigs and then I think again in like 96.5 and the boxes are different. I have several pulled and in the shelf if you need pics.

 

[1911garand]

Need heat in MN. When mine fills the passenger floor with coolant, I'll need one for it. (1997).

 

[flintknapper]

Heater not needed in FL....................

Hah....!

Like lockers are not needed in Texas I was once told.

 

[patrickk]

I'm certainly interested, but do these have a tendency to break? I've only had one go in my 6 year old mustang...

 

[slow95z]

I'm certainly interested, but do these have a tendency to break? I've only had one go in my 6 year old mustang...

They have a solder joint on some and clamp with o rings on others. That's where they go bad.

 

[leonard_nemoy]

I would love a new heater core for my 91

 

[Spdstr280Z]

Did you guys go anywhere with this ? I'm still in full "while I'm in there" mode, and just ripped the dash out. All new Denso A/C parts on the way, but I just had a very nice gentleman at a very well reviewed radiator shop tell me that nobody wants re-cores any longer so he barely does them. He said $300+ for a re-core, and I failed to mention it's a double core. His advice was to just purchase a new aftermarket, but it seems even they are hard to find, and I don't want to have to rip this dash out later. 93 for me....

Thanks,

Jason

 

[Delta VS]

Did you guys go anywhere with this ? I'm still in full "while I'm in there" mode, and just ripped the dash out. All new Denso A/C parts on the way, but I just had a very nice gentleman at a very well reviewed radiator shop tell me that nobody wants re-cores any longer so he barely does them. He said $300+ for a re-core, and I failed to mention it's a double core. His advice was to just purchase a new aftermarket, but it seems even they are hard to find, and I don't want to have to rip this dash out later. 93 for me....

Thanks,

Jason

Excellent question. Still pushing it forward, but the shop we work with was completely locked down for almost 2 months from recent events and is struggling pretty hard right now getting back in the swing of things. It is moving forward though. It will not be ready before your dash is, unfortunately.

 

[Spdstr280Z]

Excellent question. Still pushing it forward, but the shop we work with was completely locked down for almost 2 months from recent events and is struggling pretty hard right now getting back in the swing of things. It is moving forward though. It will not be ready before your dash is, unfortunately.

You might overestimate the speed at which I work, I just got that lift bracket installed like a month ago... In all seriousness, any feel for if it is a couple month thing, or a year thing ? Any estimate on cost ?

Thanks !

Jason

 

[BILT4ME]

I would be interested. A price point will make a difference. As stated above, the $300 range is where the break will probably be.

I recently had the heater core in my 1959 Studebaker rebuilt (obviously no longer available) and it is a brass core, but it was about $300 for the rebuild there. They used my existing tanks and installed a new custom made core. It took about 3 weeks to get it back.

In the case of the LC, I would consider buying a used one, even if it is already damaged, to bring it in, and have it rebuilt to sit on my shelf for exactly this reason. If you can keep the price point below the $300 range, it will be more reasonable. Seeing as this is a world vehicle, there may be more merit to this than a Studebaker part would have ever been.

Those of us that plan on keeping these vehicles long-term understand there are "consequences" of owning something that is that old and has parts that are no longer made.

In the Studebaker community, there have been folks, like you, that have taken it upon themselves, at risk, to create quality parts for the older vehicles that are normal wear parts. In the Studebaker case, it is master cylinders, brake shoes, window glass, body gasket sets, wiring harnesses, brake drums/hubs, shocks, and exhaust components. No, these parts are NOT cheap.

Folks like you are VERY valuable to our Marque and are very necessary for the longevity we all seek.

 

[Delta VS]

You might overestimate the speed at which I work, I just got that lift bracket installed like a month ago... In all seriousness, any feel for if it is a couple month thing, or a year thing ? Any estimate on cost ?

Thanks !

Jason

Ha, fair enough! At this point I do not have any answers to these questions. They have some serious OEM size orders they have to get together before they can start working smaller custom projects. If somebody gets a wild hair, maybe it'll happen next week, if not, maybe it'll be six months...

 

[Hurleyburly]

Did this ever make it to production? Checked the site but didn't see it, and figured I'd ask! Figure I'll be doing both front and rear this winter and just starting to search for replacements.

Looking for a '91.