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heater core shot I assume

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heater core shot I assume

Posted: 11/7/16 7:40pmMessage 1 of 14
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Vette(s): 1980 L82 White with doeskin interior
After installing new brakes, master cylinder, and brake lines and having radiator flushed and cleaned I finally started my '80 for the first time in probably 6 years and 13 years since it's been on the road. That was a short warm up. Then a week later I replaced the fan clutch and started up again, this time for a good warm up (can't drive it - not registered, power steering not functional). Warmed up and then brought up to 2,000 rpm for about 15 second then up to 3000 for a few seconds, then to idle. Walking around found coolant leaking. Radiator good OK, water pump OK, no reservoir overflow - in fact low. 

I think the pictures tell the tale, but just to let some experts confirm - heater core, right. Assuming that's right - anyone know a good source for a bypass tube or caps for the water pump and intake manifold ports.

Thanks




|UPDATED|11/7/2016 7:40:19 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
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Re: heater core shot I assume

Posted: 11/7/16 7:39pmMessage 2 of 14
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Overland Park, KS - USA
Joined: 7/9/2003
Posts: 916
Vette(s): 1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day. 2023 Accelerate Yellow HTC Stingray
Heater core?

1973 L-82 4 spd

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Re: heater core shot I assume

Posted: 11/7/16 8:07pmMessage 3 of 14
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 22714
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Looks more like a hose leak to me. Heater cores will normally leak to the inside of the car. What I see is leakage around the clamp....I'd double-check that the clamps are nice & snug before condemning the core itself. Thumbs Up

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Re: heater core shot I assume

Posted: 11/7/16 8:23pmMessage 4 of 14
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Vette(s): 1980 L82 White with doeskin interior
after the post i realized i should check the car floor.  it's wet.  guess i'm doomed - well, 36 years, 90,000 miles, sitting for 13 years - par for the course.  
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Re: heater core shot I assume

Posted: 11/8/16 5:26amMessage 5 of 14
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Bellingham, MA - USA
Joined: 6/23/2014
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Vette(s): 1980 loaded red on red. 68,000 original miles. Second owner. Well documented with all original paperwork. NCRS Founders Award 9/27/14. NCRS Top Flight 10/12/14.
Before you put plates on it and drive it down the road I suggest changing all belts and hoses.Otherwise you will be on the side of the road changing blown out hose.
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Re: heater core shot I assume

Posted: 11/8/16 6:25amMessage 6 of 14
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Vette(s): 1980 L82 White with doeskin interior
Agreed. Rad hoses already replaced along with many vacuum lines. Winter project is to pull power steering control valve and other hydraulics, all of which are leaking (and were practically since the car was new) to rebuild and replace all hoses. This is all just to get the car able to be driven to places to start the real work - engine rebuild, tranny replacement - 700R4, rear end rebuild (it's got a knock) with change to 3.33 gearing. Likely change to headers (thinking Stans Tri-Y), mini high flow cats (we're an emission checking county in PA) out to real dual exhaust so will make sure the new cross member for the tranny has the necessary shape to add a pipe to the passenger side. Lot's of ancillary stuff to go along with all that. 

Any recommendations on all that other than tying up my wife before I tell her would be appreciated.  
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Re: heater core shot I assume

Posted: 11/8/16 9:00amMessage 7 of 14
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Overland Park, KS - USA
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Vette(s): 1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day. 2023 Accelerate Yellow HTC Stingray
I've found it easier to pull the engine and tranny as a unit.

1973 L-82 4 spd

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Re: heater core shot I assume

Posted: 11/9/16 10:11pmMessage 8 of 14
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SHELBYVILLE, TN - USA
Joined: 7/5/2002
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Vette(s): 1976 L48 auto

1978 L82 4speed

1994 LT1 6speed
Even with a bad/loose clamp or even a cracked hose at the clamp can still leak fluid inside to the floor.  might be worthwhile to pull the hoses off and check them, and maybe putting a little pressure into the heater core and see if anything leaks out

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Re: heater core shot I assume

Posted: 11/10/16 5:49amMessage 9 of 14
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Vette(s): 1980 L82 White with doeskin interior
Thanks for the input. It is definitely worth checking and hoping for the best. 
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Re: heater core shot I assume

Posted: 11/30/16 5:56pmMessage 10 of 14
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Peru, IN - USA
Joined: 6/2/2010
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Vette(s): 1978 Blue Edition 2001 Torch Red
I decided to change my heater core on my 78 with A/C since I'm putting a new dash in. Everything on removal went fine. Trouble I'm having now is finding the correct core to put back in. Every core I've searched are 2 " thick and the original one is 2 1/2" thick. Other  dimensions are correct. The tubes on the 2" every vendor has are too far apart to pass thru the opening in the heater box it fits in. The tubes on the old one is 3 1/4" apart and new ones are 4 1/2 ". The aluminum housing won't take that much modification. If any has a good vendor for these please post. I'm still searching so I'll let you know if I find one. Not sure if yours had A/C.
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