heater core swap ? / FJ60 1986 version

[Elbert]

Great thread! Can someone elaborate on what part (s) (metal hoses I assume) can be soldered? Would soldering the pipes now eliminate future headaches? Can rubber hose be used and eliminate the metal pipes totally?

I would advise you go look at the rock auto web site where you can see a picture of the heater core. Notice the two hard pipes that come out there. Then notice the pic above where I'm showing the heater core in the box with the heater pipes all mated together like it sites in the truck (just to give perspective if you don't know). Yes you could solder the pipes to the heater core, i'm not sure that would be a good idea. I don't think it would be a good idea to run rubber hose through the firewall, but you might could run some type of braided hose. But the magic question is how will that mate to your heater core? I'm no expert but the area behind the heater core assembly is fairly restricted. I've wondered what alternative approaches there might be too. Where this would work or not, I'm not sure...its a thought....modify the heater core (cut the flange tips off the primary heater core pipes, have someone tig weld an type fittings to the heater core, then run braided hose out the firewall with corresponding fittings that mate to the heater core. Modify other ends of briaded hose to mate with whatever you have under the hood to feed the heater core. Just an idea, you would need to test this and see if physically possible or feasable. You might be able to modify other heater cores to fit in the OEM heater core box, but that too would require full on custom/ fab setup etc. (I assume tig welding, but it might be only solder...I don't know). At some point there may be only one choice and thats to modify with whatever parts you can come up with...due to OEM parts going away and used parts being hard to find or not available,and no aftermarket support. Just my thoughts.... it does appear to me that the design of the heater core and associated pipes that go through the firewall are unsual, as is the method in which they mate together with o rings...but thats my view as well.

I'll take a few more pics showing it apart once I swap the heater core out.

** I want to add something to my comments above. I see that soldering the pipes to the heater core may be a viable and necessary option. As I have looked at this aftermarket heater core I have and based on some feedback from others, I see that the OEM heater pipes do not fit the aftermarket heater core. At the time of this msg... I'm writing it appears the OEM heater pipes do not insert into the aftermarket heater core (fitting is too tight) correctly (if at all). So I wanted to step back from my comments on soldering.... it may be a viable solution. More to follow, I'm going to see if the OEM heater core can be repaired.

 

[Elbert]

I seem to remember soldering the pipes once, and when I replaced the core found it had been a bad idea.
Try to keep the clips and o rings if you can.
I broke the little plastic clips that the slider adjustment rods are held on to the top of the heater box.
IF you have it all apart could you take a picture and post please so I know what they look like again.
I think I need one or two again, they seem to be really fragile. I just replaced the heater valve on the firewall
and it's not working right now and I think I broke the little clip.

are you talking about (for pictures) the ac control levers there where all the cables connect to (where you control the fan, the heat/cool range...defrost)? I think there is only one cable that connects to the heater core...at the bottom, as I recall.

 

[georgebj60]

I seem to remember soldering the pipes once, and when I replaced the core found it had been a bad idea.
Try to keep the clips and o rings if you can.
I broke the little plastic clips that the slider adjustment rods are held on to the top of the heater box.
IF you have it all apart could you take a picture and post please so I know what they look like again.
I think I need one or two again, they seem to be really fragile. I just replaced the heater valve on the firewall
and it's not working right now and I think I broke the little clip.

Does this help?

 

[Elbert]

what have others done with respect to the install of the o rings. Install dry, install with oil, install with di-electric grease... My idea is I don't want to visit this again.

 

[georgebj60]

what have others done with respect to the install of the o rings. Install dry, install with oil, install with di-electric grease... My idea is I don't want to visit this again.

I'd like to know as well. I installed mine dry, as I don't recall reading anything is the FSM that said differently. But I haven't run my truck yet, it's still in the "project" stage.

 

[RredFJ40]

FWIW, I did mine without pulling the dash or dash cap. I pulled the fan and AC unit because it was already discoed. Others mileage might vary.

 

[Elbert]

Heater Core O-Ring Backup Seal

•For those replacing or re-sealing a heater core who are not crazy about the vulnerable o-ring seals to the extension pipes, and yet are not thrilled about a rigid solder joint alternative, here is a belt and suspenders redundancy seal that might provide some peace of mind: 1. Parts used...

forum.ih8mud.com

google searches led me to an older related thread I was part of.

 

[Elbert]

Well it looks like I may have been given the wrong o rings. See pics the smaller o ring is the old OEM one, the larger ones are what I was provided , I've had these for a while, but only recently got around to messing with the heater core.

 

[Elbert]

first pic above shows the new O ring, which appears to me to be wrong and is too large. The 2nd and 3rd pic show the new o ring to the left and compared to the old o ring on the right for perspective.

I was screwing around with this ....this afternoon late. Got the old heater core out, and was prepping to put the new (aftermarket heater core in). I can say the aftermarket heater core fits really tight against the OME heater pipes. I'm not sure at this point its going to work. I was going to lube the pipe up and see how it fits, but then I got invovled with the o rings...the fit is very tight...not sure I want to try and take it apart if I get it back together.

I don't see those larger o rings I was given working.

I'll post up a few more pics which might help others. I'll update as I move forward. I don't want to have it soldered unless I have no other choice, I've not given up....first order of business is getting the right o rings.

 

[Elbert]

more pics...for fun.

 

[Elbert]

first pic above shows the top of old heater core with the heater pipes removed. 2nd pic shows the heater pipes mated to the old heater core after I took the clasps off, and the 3rd pics shows what the heater pipe clasps loop like. So you can see that the o ring size is pretty specific and a thick o ring is not going to work or appears its not going to work and the obvious loose fit around the heater pipe is a "no-go" as well. The heater pipe "male" end fits the "female" end on the heater core and so fit and finish is important. Guess I'm at the other aggravating part of dealing with this.

 

[georgebj60]

Yep. Looks like the wrong O-rings. I'll try to dig up the part number for the rings I got from Toyota.

Can't comment on the fitment of the pipes. Both OEM and aftermarket heater cores have been NLA for a while now I think, so you must have bought one a while back.

 

[Elbert]

Yes, I bought the heater core from the Rock-Auto web site a few years ago, and its sat on the shelf along with the o-rings for a while. I just checked a few web sites to include Rock Auto and I don't see a heater core listed (aftermarket). I do see one available on one web site but I'm betting its likely wrong, given other information. Guess I'll hang on to my old heater core until I find a solution to my present problem. In my case this is a hobby/trail truck and so I'm not overly concerned with exact fit...but I sure as #$#% want the heat to work and since I have all my A/C components I want the AC to work too.

** I think the heater core came from Rock Auto but I've had the part for a few years now, setting on the shelf, so I'm not sure of the source, not given the amount of time that has passed.**

 

[Elbert]

FYI... I'm seeing a fitment issue with the OEM heater pipes and the aftermarket heater core. The heater core diameter (female side) seems to be incorrect size vs the OME heater pipes. In other words on face value right now it appears that the heater pipes will not insert properly into the heater core (aftermarket). Given these unicorn parts I don't want to use too much force and it appears that right now on face value there is a problem with the fitment. I was not aware of this issue until this weekend and so now I'm looking at two things...(1) getting the proper o-rings (2) getting the old heater core repaired or source something that works (heater core). Few options appear viable other that whats stated. I'll post up as I find out what works for me. Please post up if you've found solutions.

As I come across links to other threads I'll post them. Finding stuff through search/google that either I had forgotten or was not aware...anyway...attempt is to help others.

FJ60 Aftermarket heater cores VS OEM

forum.ih8mud.com

FJ60 HEATER CORE O-RINGS?

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[Elbert]

Here are two pics of the aftermarket heater core I have, I don't recall were I got this...or the brand name on the box, but I noticed this sticker on one of the tanks...its says Vista-Pro Automotive, LLC. I don't know if there is one place that makes these and everyone sticks their brand sticker on these things or is Vista-Pro is the actual MFG. What I do know is this aftermarket heater core...does not fit the OEM heater pipes that are suppose to mate with it. I'm going to try and take some emory cloth and "sand" the inside of the aftermarket heater core on a "what the hell" type of try(the inside of the fitting on the heater core side) I don't know if its worth it or not, to try this. But I have this heater core now and I'm not going to be able to return it. Hard to really guage how bad the problem is...but the pipes will not mate with the heater core....the heater core being too small. You can see above tha t the heater pipes have a flange about 1 inch from the end and the pipe inserts into the heater core until flange meets flange. Works fine on the OEM heater core...does not work on the aftermarket. Anyone have any info on Vista-Pro...are they some mfg or just someone who stamps their name on stuff. I'm tempted to buy another aftermarket heater core, but I do not want to buy another example of what I already have (poor fit).

 

[georgebj60]

Just for information for anyone else reading this thread. The part number for the Toyota O-rings is 96711-19016.

 

[Elbert]

Ok, I obtained the correct o rings. See below picture. I'm going to see about getting the OEM heater core checked out and repaired as necessary from local radiator shop. I don't have much confidence in the Vista-Pro aftermarket heater core I have now for a couple of reasons (a) the angle of the top pipes coming off the top of the heater core and (b) the size of the internal pipe on the heater core that mates with the OME heater pipes. I've ordered another aftermarket heater core in the spectra brand, which may or may not be any better, in the mean time best course of action is to see if the OEM heater core is good/fixable. I'll take the the OEM heater core to the local radiator shop later this week. Hindsight would have been great to buy the OEM heater core new back when it was available but I think it was like $300 or more and at the time I was not aware of the problems in the fit on the aftermarket stuff.

 

[retiredguest]

So if your heater core goes bad you're pretty much SOL? Not good news. I can't believe no one makes a replacement.

 

[Elbert]

So if your heater core goes bad you're pretty much SOL? Not good news. I can't believe no one makes a replacement.

correct...from my perspective/experience. The Vista_Pro unit is not a good candidate and I'm waiting to see what the spectra brand will be. Best course of action right now in my experience is to get the OEM heater core repaired if possible. OEM heater core not available from Toyota from what I know at present time. Nor are the clasps that hold the heater core to the heater core pipes avaliable either from what I was told. Not sure how long the o rings are planned to be in inventory.... Its really lucky that you can still buy some of these parts new, the problem is that the landcruiser is a low production vehicle and these things become unicorns rather fast.

 

[retiredguest]

Lucky mine still works. After reading your post looks like I might try to source the parts now just in case. scary stuff. A/C I can live without but up here in North Eastern Sierras, Heat is a must. All the more reason to keep tap water OUT of your cooling system.