1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

Heater Rebuild Help

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by mickeykelley, Apr 16, 2017.

  1. Apr 16, 2017
    mickeykelley

    mickeykelley Well-Known Member

    Republic of Texas
    Joined:
    Oct 10, 2015
    Messages:
    1,900
    Trying to restore heater to put in Willie. First the local guy said he can't mess with the leaking core. So I found a new core listed by O'Riley. It fits but the brackets that holds it in place internally won't fit over the ends. See pics below. So first is there anyone I can ship the original core to fix the leak. Next, in the pic are the old rubberish seals that go where the flap is to seal air flow. They're brittle and falling apart. Any ideas what to get? It's more dense than the stuff at Home Depot for windows plus it needs to handle the heat. It needs to have some give to seal so cork won't work either. Any places that provide some for restoring?

    Here is the new one listed for these jeeps. If I force it down the it spreads and screw holes won't line up.
    image.jpg
    See how original it fits.
    image.jpg
    This is the seal material for air sealing depending which way the air flap is.
    image.jpg
     
  2. Apr 16, 2017
    gunner

    gunner Member

    Washington state...
    Joined:
    Dec 4, 2012
    Messages:
    596
    Worked in a radiator shop as a 19yo; well, I was a driver. But the inside guys did heater cores all the time. Done same as a radiator- ditch the old core and solder a new one in between the top and bottom tanks. But with the aftermarket stuff available, most shops have probably dropped the ability to do it.
     
  3. Apr 16, 2017
    45es

    45es Active Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Naches, WA
    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2007
    Messages:
    1,103
    My heater core started leaking last year. I took it to Weber Radiator, a shop here in Yakima, WA. They did a great job repairing it. Don't know why you couldn't send it to them if you can not find another source.
     
    Last edited: Apr 16, 2017
  4. Apr 16, 2017
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2003
    Messages:
    9,754
    It looks to me like it might be simple to re-shape the mounting bracket and make it work. But hard to see from a photo.

    I have resoldered more than one leaky heater core. Depends if the leak is reasonably accessible, and if the copper is heavy enough - which it was in the older cores. A competent radiator shop ought be able to fix or recore it.
     
  5. Apr 16, 2017
    Mark Wahlster

    Mark Wahlster Member

    Silverton, OR
    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2015
    Messages:
    386
    You might try Neoprene Foam for your sealing needs. You can find it here in 3/32" and 1/4" thickness at the local Art and craft store. If you have a Michael's near by they would have it.
     
  6. Apr 18, 2017
    WorkInProgress

    WorkInProgress Member

    Kennewick, Wa
    Joined:
    Jul 15, 2012
    Messages:
    966
    I don't remember my heater having that internal bracket but easiest fix might be to go to home Depot and get a piece of steel strap and just make a new internal bracket. Should be real easy to make using a hammer. That thin stuff is really easy to make or bend. And you probably could make the curved corners of the bracket a hard 90 degree or take try c clamping a pvc pipe to the edge of a table and pull the metal down over the pvc and you could probably make the corner curved
     
New Posts