Heater core?

[cea1]

I need a new heater core for my 82 FJ40. My original core leaked a little. I reviewed old threads and there were many references to using a Ready Aire/Vista Pro aftermarket heater core, but I've purchased two of those from different retailers and they leaked worse than my original core right out of the box. Maybe they used to be better, but the two I recently purchased are complete and utter junk. I attempted to contact the Vista Pro company, left messages, and no response whatsoever. I've replaced many heater cores and run into a few leakers, but not really interested in rolling the dice with another Vista Pro junk.
So, any recommendations for a non-leaking aftermarket heater core?
Maybe I'm just better off having the local radiator shop build me one.

 

[Curt]

I remember seeing someone repair there heater core. Take it to a rad shop they can probably patch that hole up.

edit here is the link. Coolerman fixed his rear core.

http://www.globalsoftware-inc.com/coolerman/fj40/9.htm

 

[3_puppies]

Chad, I've got some spares on the shelf, if needed. Not sure maybe Ryan can get the old one fixed up?
Paul

 

[cea1]

Paul -- sent you a message. I see alot of the places that usually have the cores, like Napa and O'Reillys can't get them even though they show in stock on their website. Wonder if vista pro quit making them and those that are currently showing up are questionable remnants. The second one I took out after running the truck for 5 minutes had large voids in the solder around the inlet and outlet pipes. I am sure those were there before I installed it, but it was -15 outside, dark and I just wanted to get it done (mistake I know). There is so little solder on both new cores and it was done badly. Just going to have one built.

 

[Weber Sarge]

Hate to hear that - mine doesn't transfer the engine water heat very well due to age and corrosion despite boiling it out when I rebuilt the heater box . I think the only fix is to replace it ....
Sarge

 

[cea1]

Just wanted to wrap this thread up. I ended up taking the second new and leaking Vista Pro heater core to the radiator shop where it was tested to confirm it was junk. They pulled it apart and reassembled it correctly, pressure tested it and it is working great with no leaks.
I'd recommend taking any of these new aftermarket cores to the shop and have it pressure tested before installing to save the trouble. I contacted Vista Pro and they of course by phone and in writing and they of course did not respond even though they supposedly have a one year warranty.

Just to make sure I wasn't done working on the 40 in the cold weather though, I burped the air from the coolant for the third time in the past couple of weeks replacing heater parts and ended up dousing the alternator with coolant, which quit working the next day.

 

[Weber Sarge]

Time to upgrade to a later model 60 or 80 series ...it happens , been there - done that but fixed mine as it just washed out a front bearing . I'm seriously looking at trying to fit a '05-08 Tacoma 140 amp unit from a V6 w/tow package on mine here when it warms up . The measurements come out really close .
Sarge