Heater core comparo

[73k5blazer]

Well, I've had a 2nd heater core in 2 years start leaking. I hate cheap crap.

So I ordered every brand I could to compare. These are non-A/C versions

The brand I just blew up was the Ready-Aire one. Out of these, I like the copper one..Federated/Four Seasons, but it was a closeout price, so, I think they are not making these anymore.

Here's the 4 different ones I could find (click on pics for extremely large versions)




TYC P/N 96013
Country of Origin: China
Cost: $27.29
Rows: 19
Material: Aluminum
Notes:
My Opinion: Seems ok, has proper width top/bottom so it should fit in housing ok. For some reason I like the oval'd tubes where they meet the side tank


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Ready Aire/Vista-Pro 399079
Country of Origin: Mexico
Cost: $19.17
Rows: 18
Material: Aluminum
Notes: Anti-Erosion Bridge -Patented technology protects heater tubes and extends the life of heater ; Elastomeric Restrictor - Placed in outbound tube of heater to optimize coolant velocity and heat transfer
My Opinion: Being that one of these just started leaking at 8000mi, I'm not impressed. Manufacturing seems sketchy, the whole thing is cocked a little, like it wasn't straight when they pressed the sides on. I had to slightly bend the holddown bracket to get this to fit in the housing proper. Top bottom plate is not full width so I had to pack some high-temp rubber in there to keep it from slopping.




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Pro 9010080 / 399079
Country of Origin: China
Cost: $26.79
Rows: 17
Material: Aluminum
Notes: Anti-Erosion Bridge -Patented technology protects heater tubes and extends the life of heater ; Elastomeric Restrictor - Placed in outbound tube of heater to optimize coolant velocity and heat transfer
My Opinion: Looks ok. Top/Bottom plates aren't proper width, will slop in the heater housing without some mods. There are bushings welded into the housing and the tubes are welded into the bushings, I like that.




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Four Seasons/Federated 7194553
Country of Origin: USA
Cost: $14.79 (Rockauto closeout price) Regular Price: $44.65
Rows: 17
Material: Copper/Brass
Notes: OEM size/fit. I think their plain 94553 (without 71 in front) is alum. but it doesn't say.
My Opinion: I like that it will fit without modification of the holddown bracket and won't slop in the housing. I like that it's copper. Can be fixed. I think I'll try this one!

 

[diesel4me]

USA all the way....copper/brass lasts longer IMO,and can be soldered if need be--since replacing a heater core is a sucky job,I'd want to do it only once--actually,not at all!..why do OEM heater cores last decades,and "new" ones are lucky to make it 5 years anyway?..same for radiators,even copper/brass ones seem to rot and leak fast when you get a new one..must be made from recycled crap..


I dont care much for aluminum radiators or heater cores--only good for scrap $$$ in my opinion,and you have to take the plastic tanks off first if you want anything for them...they might cool as well or better ,but their service life seems pretty short,especially if you have an electrolosis problem..

 

[73k5blazer]

I would disagree with the service life of alum. Radiators. I've not sprang a leak in any OEM alum rad yet. My old 97 k2500 had 240kmi on it. My old 86 C10 truck with 240kmi on I also...no leaks. My 04 GTO...109kmi on it...no leaks.

Aftermarket is just that...aftermarket. By enlarge aftermarket parts just are not made with the same quality/tolerances/specs as OEM parts. Desert testing..arctic testing...sand testing..salt spray testing...vibration testing....humidity testing...dry testing...water spray testing....manufacturing over time tests...just to name a few. Most aftermarket places barely do any testing beyond a 70 degree sunny California day. I work at OEMs ...i know...GM has different specs for even their service parts vs. the parts allowed to make it to the factory floor. (which allows for some reject parts to become service parts...saves cost).

 

[paratrooper307]

USA all the way....copper/brass lasts longer IMO,and can be soldered if need be--since replacing a heater core is a sucky job,I'd want to do it only once--actually,not at all!..why do OEM heater cores last decades,and "new" ones are lucky to make it 5 years anyway?..same for radiators,even copper/brass ones seem to rot and leak fast when you get a new one..must be made from recycled crap..


I dont care much for aluminum radiators or heater cores--only good for scrap $$$ in my opinion,and you have to take the plastic tanks off first if you want anything for them...they might cool as well or better ,but their service life seems pretty short,especially if you have an electrolosis problem..

When you've got a common vehicle and someone looking to make a buck, quality and reliability is not always put first. OEMs are designed to minimize warranty claims and have the benefit of extensive R&D. Cheap replacements basically just mimic the look and function of the part.

 

[73k5blazer]

I swapped my core out today. The tilt front clip sure makes that job a whole bunch easier!



The ready-aire/vista pro one that was in there was cracked where a tube meets the side can. The alum. side can is sooooo thin. And one detriment to alum, especially thin alum, it doesn't bend as easily, alot more brittle, it just tears.
CHeap POS.

I put the Four Seasons / Federated copper/brass version in there. I tell you what, it's hard to tell because it not really winter, but I've always thought the heater was a bit weak...the heat was pouring out, nice hot air with this copper/brass version. It may be because it's just alot more surface area, alot thicker than the alum. ones. We'll see come winter time...

If the copper brass version isn't available anymore, I think I'd try the Pro one. It had nice bushings to spread the load and I couldn't move the tubes with some decent pressure, where the TYC and vista-pro versions I could wiggle the tubes some (bending the side can as you moved it), TYC not so much, vista-pro..tubes would move very easily, I think I just got unlucky at the parts store last time and made the wrong choice.

 

[76zimmer]

great review of the different cores out there...

 

[Chevy305]

Nice review. A note to make on the aluminum ones: they have a lot more fins and therefore its harder to move air through it. They also don't fit like copper ones do which creats small gaps around it allowing the air to go around the core rather than through it. This makes for much reduced heat output. A little insulation around the core will solve that problem.