Heater core

**KrazyK** · 10-28-2012, 10:15 PM

I don't do much with cars; other than repair my stuff. To that end I had to replace the heater core in my truck today. My question is; is a heater core taken in as a radiator? All I did so far is toss it in the bed. Does it tear down? Is it all one metal?

**Bear** · 10-28-2012, 10:24 PM

the last one i pulled was out of a 73, and basically just a miniature radiator yep. I'm sure they've changed somewhat, hek, maybe all plastic by now

**jghilino** · 10-28-2012, 10:48 PM

Is it all aluminum or copper/aluminum mix? either way it needs to be clean to fetch a fair price, alot of the ones ive seen have a plastic reservoir on the inlet/oultlt end or steel wires around the fins.

**KzScrapper** · 10-28-2012, 11:07 PM

Congrats on getting the POS changed out...I've done a couple and talk about the inside off the car looking like a bomb went off trying to get at it.

Most are like a small radiator, like mentioned above, take any metal or plastic off to get best price.

**joef1812** · 10-28-2012, 11:40 PM

my yard takes them with radiators most i deal with are either all brass or alluminum, some have some steel mounting hardware where they fasten to the HVAC box that would need to be removed to get clean price

**taterjuice** · 10-29-2012, 05:21 PM

95% of the heater cores are brass with the newer vehicles having a aluminum core

**RustyDollars** · 10-29-2012, 06:27 PM

My local yards have a separate catagory for heater cores. Current price is $1.60/lb here.

**KrazyK** · 10-31-2012, 02:59 PM

It has no mounting hardware (it is out of a 90 F150) it just sat in a plastic "box" behind the glove box with the hose connectors poking through the firewall. It looks to be all alum. Didn't know if they used other metals when the make them or if it could go as alum. I will have to look closer (and poke it with a magnet). I guess my best bet would be to call the yard.

**taterjuice** · 10-31-2012, 08:23 PM

My yard pays radiator price either way.

**newattitude** · 11-01-2012, 12:20 AM

I'm glad I read this thread and all the replies. I was behind a guy at the smaller yard I use and he had brought in a brand new core and the yard guy bought it as steel! I heard him say he ''couldn't do much with it.'' I was like ''huh??? that can't be right!'' I knew the guy was getting rooked. I bet he doesn't go back there again!

**Tafo111** · 11-06-2012, 10:49 AM

The two most popular types are metal and birdwatcher heaters cores. Aluminum heaters cores are used in most vehicles these days,The combining of materials within the metal tube is accountable for corrosion...

**Gnraxlrose88** · 11-06-2012, 12:45 PM

My yard takes them as "aluminum radiators". No copper in them. Same with evaporator cores (the other little radiator in the heater core box, only there if you have AC)