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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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| | | | Joined: Aug 2018 Posts: 221 Moderator, Great Lakes Bolters | | Moderator, Great Lakes Bolters Joined: Aug 2018 Posts: 221 | What are people doing for a heater core when installing a V8 in their AD trucks? I would like to utilize the original heater but have read that the original heater cores can't hold up to the additional water pressure. Even Classic Parts now calls out in their catalog "Not for use with modern upgrades over 4# radiator pressure caps" I believe the small block chevys are running over 10# caps for pressure. (I am not able to spend the money on a new system, such as Classic/Vintage Air, at this time...)
Thanks!!
--Tom | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,787 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,787 | Just about any radiator shop worthy of the name can install a core rated for the right pressure in an original housing- - - - -or at least that's what used to be done.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 5,848 Gearhead, Stovebolt Tech and Parts Tracker, Mod for Swap Meet and GTT | | Gearhead, Stovebolt Tech and Parts Tracker, Mod for Swap Meet and GTT Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 5,848 | Tom, A quick check of Jim Carter offered products shows the following new replacement heater cores that are compatible with modern engine higher pressures. Not sure which type heater you have, Recirculating or Fresh Air? Both aren't cheap, but much lower cost than a higher end full system. One note on the core for the Fresh Air replacement - there may be an issue with 1953-55.1 (1st Series) heaters so it would be worth a call to Jim Carter's store to ask for details before ordering. Recirculating round heater coreFresh Air rectangular core
~ Dan 1951 Chevy 3 window 3100Follow this story in the DITY Gallery"My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine"1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver) US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2018 Posts: 221 Moderator, Great Lakes Bolters | | Moderator, Great Lakes Bolters Joined: Aug 2018 Posts: 221 | Thank you, Jerry, for the advice. I fear most of the quality radiator and exhaust shops in my area have gone away. I tried getting a simple bend made up on an exhaust pipe a couple weeks ago and had to go to several places before I finally found a Midas shop to do it. Even then it took some convincing and they charged a pretty penny for it.
-Tom | | | | | Joined: Aug 2018 Posts: 221 Moderator, Great Lakes Bolters | | Moderator, Great Lakes Bolters Joined: Aug 2018 Posts: 221 | Thank you, Dan! I usually check all the usual KC parts places, but failed to see this offering from Jim Carter. I'll give them a shout.
Thanks again!
-Tom | | | | | Joined: Nov 2021 Posts: 1,371 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2021 Posts: 1,371 | My heater is the fresh air type, rectangular core, and my radiator shop replaced the core (leaking) with one that is okay for modern engine pressures but it was pricy. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2016 Posts: 1,987 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2016 Posts: 1,987 | Hey Tom, there is a custom exhaust shop in my area, I know it isn't convenient for you but a least another option. Kitleys Custom Exhaust, Stockbridge, Michigan. There were at least 4 radiator shops in Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti 20 years ago, all are gone now. I don't know of any current shops.
1957 Chevrolet 5700 LCF 283 SM420 2 speed rear, 1955 IH 300U T/A, 1978 Corvette 350 auto, 1978 Yamaha DT175, 1999 Harley Davidson Softail Fat Boy
| | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 Sir Searchalot | | Sir Searchalot Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 |
Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it. - William Penn
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 4,484 Moderator, Electrical Bay | | Moderator, Electrical Bay Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 4,484 | I just bought a roll of 1/2 inch copper tubing (flexible) and wound it around a coffee can leaving about 1/4 to 3/8 inch between rows and then repeated the same for another row leaving about 5 inches to be bent and sent through the firewall. You could do the same basic thing if you needed a square or rectangular shape, however mine was round. It generated plenty of heat and only cost me about $30. There's no way you will blow it out...copper plumbing withstands plenty of pressure. Good luck!
~ Jon
1952 1/2 ton with 1959 235 | T5 with 3.07 rear end
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