hey guys,

just thought i'd let everyone know what i saw today in the partsource flyer for those of us thinking about replacing the heater core. i know it's been a popular topic lately. . .
the flyer shows 20% off all spectra heater cores.

is this the core to buy - or should we stick with a product from cummins or mopar?
i'll do some searching on here with 'spectra' heater cores and see what i find. . . (feel free to do the same and post it here if interested). . .

hope this helps some of us.

later,
jason

 

I cant imagine where the brand would make a big difference.

Mines still works but I think it probably should be replaced.

Are you volunteering Jason?

 

HAHA - sure thing, i'll do the core replacement - you just let me know when you have the dah pulled back and the box exposed!!!

i think mine is gonna have to wait till the summer to be replaced, too busy right now. i just hope january doesn't get to cold as my heater doesn't work great. . .hence the need to replace the core.

i'll be doing a flush at the same time - i don't believe the truck has ever had one (160, 000 km) - i think i'm due!!!

 

Is it an ugly job doing the heat core replacement?

 

from what i hear - yes. very time consuming to get to it - and once you do it's a pain in the *** to get the core in/out . . .
but i have yet to do it. . .

 

I did a heater core in a 76 cordoba, but I might have dated myself with that info. My truck is still brand new, so it wont need a heater core.

 

If 160K is time for a heater core, well mine must be bad..LOL.. I just crested 300,000 Km yesterday..

 

Be careful with aftermarket heater cores on 2nd gen trucks guys. I tried one a couple years ago, and the tubes were bent slightly differently than the OEM core so that the blend door linkage would bind against the tubes and would not open fully. I've used Dodge heater cores ever since. Just be aware and make sure you test the blend door before you put the dash back in.

 

Just did the one on the '01 last weekend. Wasn't bad at all but I cheated and left the heater box in place and cut the lines then spliced them back together with some heater hose and clamps. Was around 2-3hours taking my time, using air tools and a cordless drill to pull all the screws. Be careful of the shift selector mechanism when you drop the steering column. I can get caught between the dash and column and get damaged.

I took some pics, I'll see if I can get them up this weekend.

NAPA couldn't get me one so I went to another independent store in Cochrane. Was about $70 and apparently is the same core as used in '93-98 Grand Cherokees.

 

Book time on the 2nd gen cores if like 8 hours. But its not really that hard, it just takes time to do and you need to be really carefull not to scratch the dash.

 

As mentioned here before the core can be replaced much quicker by cutting the tubes and then splicing them back together with heater hose and clamps. This eliminates removing the heater box, draining the coolant, or discharging the AC system.

Didn't even have to open the hood.

I was quite surprised how quick the dash came out, bunch of screws on top near the windshield(Cordless drill with extension made quick work of them), 2 big bolts on each side of the dash just underneath and then some screw in the center on the floor and drop the steering column, 3/8s impact for that. Take the glove box right out.



Dash held back with strap to upper door latch


Cut off with air powered cut off wheel. I spent some cleaning up the ends of the cut tube with a round file and coarse emery cloth.


I lost about a cup of coolant (which was easily soaked up with some paper towel) plus what was in the core.




I tightened the hose clamps with a 1/4 ratchet and socket to make sure they were good and tight.

 

Thanks for the "GREAT" pictures...

 

I just turned over to 405KM...

 

Are you back in town Dave?

 

I'm back in Calgary from Sask...Good god I never felt -48C in my life...