I need to replace the heater core in my '67 and am finding that all the parts houses sell a version that is only 2" thick versus the 2.5" thick one that I pulled out. Has anyone else run across this? It appears to be another Camaro vs. Firebird thing (the small block Camaro calls for a 2" core).

I was quoted $200 on recoring mine. The high price is due to the original core material being no longer available and the need to make standard radiator core work.

Anyway, anyone that can lead me to a new item would have my gratitude.

John

May be an A.C vs non A/C application which is the difference in .5 inches. I would think the A/C would be thicker, thus the reflection in price.

NPD has them for $55-60. A/C and non A/C. I live 20 minutes from there if you need to verify width.

Just called NPD in Livonia. Part number C-8854-201 is 2.5" thick and confirmed by friend that works there. Price is $59.

If you need it today or tomorrow, I can pick it up and meet you in Findlay for some Waffle House Pecan waffles.

If not needed ASAP, number is 1-800-521-6104 PArt is in stock.

Tom,

You are the "Man". You must be bored out of your mind and looking for anything to do. I will be in Detroit the week of May 24. I will have to keep an evening open so you can come up to Farmington Hills and have dinner and a couple of beers with me.

BTW - my first "real" job when I turned 16 was at a Waffle House. I learned to cook breakfast the old fashioned way - not the way they do it now, and by memory, no cheat sheets to look at.

Take care of yourself.

Tom

Tom...

With therapy, I am doing quite well..

Bring those 62's with you when you come up. I will explain.

I have cut the grass 4 times this week..bored yes.

Keep an evening open? Sure thing, anytime.

Tom,

I wish I would've caught you before you did all that work! My car is NON A/C or NPD # C-8854-200 which is only 2" thick. The A/C of course, has different tube ends. The BBC core for the Cramo is 2.5" thick but also has different tube ends.

I know mine is original because the date code matches. My big concern is making a thinner one fit tight.

I even called Ames to find out that there's is 2.25".

Anyway, I'm still looking for advice on this.

Thanks,

John

I'm confused..You said the one you pulled from your car is correct according to the date code and is 2.5" thick.

If the 2.5 is what you pulled, why would it not work? unless you are saying the NPD core is a Camaro core and it has the wrong size hose ends.

If that is the case, replace the hoses with the 5/8 or 3/4 or vice versa.

Mine accept 3/4"

Tom,

The NPD core for NON A/C (my car) is 2" thick. The part number you referenced is for A/C. I had already called NPD earlier today but greatly appreciate your help here. I've also called Classic, PY, and Ames. Classic had "notes" that indicate that the Cramo and Firebird cores are NOT interchangeable. PY had no cores in stock to measure. Ames (which is in the middle of a change in ownership and very hard to get a hold of) has one that is 2.25" thick.

I'm thinking of buying a BBC Camaro core and having my tanks put on it.

?

J.

What specific reasons "notes" were given as to why you can not use a Camaro core. And what cores did they have?

So you need a non A/C 2.5" thick heater core?

What are your bad hose end diameters? Top and bottom?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2477424946

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2477424924

Look at the applications and dimensions...They are the same, just different widths.

1967-1968 FIREBIRD W/O A/C

MEASUREMENTS: 9-1/2" X 6-1/8" X 2"
INLET: 3/4"
OUTLET: 5/8"

1967-1968 FIREBIRD W A/C

MEASUREMENTS: 9-1/2" X 6-1/8" X 2-1/2"
INLET: 3/4"
OUTLET 5/8"

This company builds them..they would know..

Tom,

The non A/C Camaro core is 2" thick versus 2.5" thick for the Firebird. I guess I could put a half inch spacer between the inner heater box and core to make a Camaro version work.

The ebay listing looks identical to one I got locally and returned. That core is only 2" thick and the hose ends angle toward the block rather than toward the inner fender. I won't be able to know until my engine is in, but it looks like the hoses would interfere with the block or at least be routed awkwardly if I used that core. As I am doing a detailed restoration, I want everything to at look and function right so I'm hesitant to use that core.

Basically, most every retailer has listed the Camaro core as fitting a Firebird but it is actually 1/2" thinner and slightly smaller in one of the other dimensions. I posted this question on the PY site and someone with experience told me not to try the SB Camaro core because it was too small to fit correctly.

The hose end sizes are not the problem. My upper is 3/4" and lower is 5/8".

So, I have come to the conclusion that if I want it to fit correctly (without making a spacer out of wood or something) and have the hose ends pointing in the right direction, I need to have mine recored. According to my local radiator shop, it would be far less expensive to find a core that has the correct dimensions and substitute my tanks onto it. The BBC Camaro core is the least expensive unit of the correct dimension that I have come across.

If you have a better solution, or source, I would love to know it.

John

Maybe the heater core went bad soon after delivery and the only core they had available was the 2.5?

If you do not have AC, the 2" is correct, but you pulled a 2.5 out.

Would seem to me that according to the manual a 2" should be there.

The ends are bendable (copper) and can be fashioned either way. As far as them pointing to a particular part of engine bay, there should be no more than 3/4-1" of the ends sticking out of the firewall anyhow. If it does not fit "exactly" the ends can be bent, cut and reflared at the ends to suit your needs.
I am looking at a concourse Ram Air II motor pic and I see the heater core hoses going right to (almost looks like into) the firewall with clamps.
The only parts of the heater core that should be seen prior to installing the hose is the flare and enough length to secure with clamp.

As far as another idea? Call AMC and tell them what you ned and send them your bad core and have them modify it exactly as your old inlet/outlet routing.

All over a $60 heater core that you will not see..

???

The Camaro heater core necks stick out further than the Firebirds. If you get stuck with a Camaro heater core you can change the necks without much problem or shorten them. It would be a lot cheaper and easier than recoring.
Jim

Jim,

Thanks, I may do that. As Tom said, it's a lot of frustration over a part you don't see. I have a second car that I'll be tearing into this weekend to see how it's setup and then I'll let everyone know what I do.

John

I also had one hell of a time finding a heater core for my 67 non a/c 400 bird. I ended up getting a core that was the right size from AMC off ebay and then putting my tanks and tubes on it. Of course after I did that I found a web site that has what looks to be the right heater core. www.rockauto.com You might take a look and see if it looks right to you. Good luck!

abq67bird,

Thanks! I just received my Rockauto heater core and it's correct all around. The shape of the tank ends actually make it fit a bit tighter than necessary, but that's much better than the floppy fit of the 2" thick Camaro unit that everyone is selling. It's the correct 2.5" thick and the hose nipples are the correct diameter and are bent correctly. Rockauto was real easy and the total cost was $52.71 and $5.80 shipping and handling.

Thanks again to everyone that tried to help.

John

I'm confused. I ordered a new core for my 400 non-A/C 'Bird from Ames about 6 months ago and it was an exact copy of my original one.

Salmon,

When I called Ames a week ago, they were just coming out of the turmoil of changing hands and the inventory process that accompanied it. The person I spoke to was very weary and couldn't verify the dimensions for me. She also was hesitant about when they might ship so she probably gave me wrong information. Still, they were asking $79 +shipping, which I would've gladly paid, but which is much more than what Rockauto is asking.

John