1971 F250 w/AC heater core

[Norton]

I guess it's common knowledge by now that these heater cores are no longer available. I have pulled mine out and took it to a radiator shop and was told that the core cannot be fixed. I don't know how new cores are made to be soldered onto the old tanks, but the guy said that this would be very expensive, like $375. I read somewhere, one time, on the innerwebs, that you could take a new heater core for the non-AC truck and have the core desoldered from the new tanks and have the old tanks soldered onto the new core. The radiator shop guy said he could do this. Problem is, I can't find where I read this to verify it.

Has anyone here ever heard of this being done?

[ddcrim]

Thats strange, I just bought one for my 1974 F250 with AC from autozone for $25.00. Not the same ??????????? Am installing it now.

[ddcrim]

Guess I'm wrong, not the same, but they have them for a 71
for $106.00 .

[Norton]

Hmmm. I just went to the Autozone site and saw that. They don't have one in stock and I have to pay for it before they will order it. These have been unavailable for so long that I'm still skeptical. Hopefully someone has finally started making them.

Please let me know how yours works out.

[fireguywtc]

I know I bought a heater core for my 70 with factory AC from either LMC or NPD (I can't remember which). The core I received was totally incorrect. It was too long and had the wrong connections. After an argument about how I was wrong and they were right, they allowed me to return it. I can confirm that you can buy a brand new non-AC heater core and have the top part of the tank soldered on. I did it on my 70 and worked great. There was no need to replace the bottom one.

[Norton]

That's good to know, thanks fireguy. I've been looking into this Pro Source company that makes the core that AutoZone sells. Not a lot of information about them, they are based in Ft. Worth. Of course, everything is made overseas, but it looks to made according to specs and with good materials. They say on their site that the have over 20 new cores tooled for 2014, so it's possible that the w/AC core is a new product this year. It's strange to me that only AutoZone carries it -- none to be found at NAPA or O'Reilly's.

I think I'm going to give the new core a shot. It's actually cheaper for me than the other route, or about the same if I could get the radiator guy to come down about $20. I rather have the new core so, yeah, I'll try it.

Hmmm, just noticed that the Pro Source core "with A/C" and "Without A/C" both have the same part number.

[Norton]

Well I bit the bullet and ordered it. 20% discount for online orders over $100 so I got it for $85 and free shipping. 3-5 business days for delivery to my door. The good thing is that if it doesn't fit I can take it to a store for a refund. Oh, limited lifetime warranty.

I'll take pictures and let y'all know how it goes. now I just have to source all the foam sealing stuff in the box. Any ideas on that are appreciated.

[ddcrim]

If its the right one you should be OK. Mine turned out to be a darn good unit.

[motzingg]

hmm soldering old tanks onto a heater core should be a 50 dollar job for any halfway decent radiator shop. i'd ask around and find the oldest guy you can.

[Norton]

It came in yesterday. Looks like a good match:



I won't have it together for a while, but I'm pretty sure this is going to work.

Thanks ddcrim for the heads up on this part!!!

[hazelnut]

Is the A/C in your truck factory or dealer installed ? The heater core looks to be for a dealer installed A/C unit.

[Norton]

int1.jpg

No, it's factory installed.

[sargentrs]

That's the same I have for my truck. Thanks for finding that core!

[hazelnut]

I've got a 69 and the tubes on mine are about 8" long with a few bends in them to off set before going through the firewall. The A/C case has the same design as a 69 . Ford must have changed the way the tubes exit between those years.

Glad you found a core that will work.

[chenders]

This is an old thread..... but do you happen the have the part number for the heater core..... i cant seem to find it on autozone's website nor pro source.... (maybe it was a short production run)

Chris