Modifying heater core outlet?

Glenwood · Dec 6, 2016

Just wondering if anyone has ever modded the in/outlet tubing for heater cores.
This 64 has a two piece tube which uses o-rings and I think might be prone to leak.
Mine is missing the control valve and I was wondering if something different has ever been uses to replace it and if the tube could have a threaded union, instead of the o-ring. There might not be enough room to add a fitting, but I thought I'd throw the question out there.

PRND21 · Dec 6, 2016

I haven't done this before but I've thought very seriously about the same thing when I get to that point on my 64 Savoy. Adapt some type of elbow to the core and add a ball valve or some type of heater control valve to the hard line. As many of these that are out there I would have thought somebody would have figured out a replacement by now.

Glenwood · Dec 6, 2016

Exactly my thoughts. if I had a spare I would try it but i hate to ruin a good core.
The rebuild kit arrived from DMT today!

PRND21 · Dec 7, 2016

Your valve (elbow) appears somewhat different than mine. Napa offers a rebuild kit for the valve, but consists only of a rectangular diaphragm, no o-ring. Could you post a picture of your kit when you get it? I thought all these 62-65s used the same Ranco heater valve. Thanks.

Glenwood · Dec 7, 2016

I do not have a valve to rebuild. The kit is for insulation and gaskets for the housing etc.
Mine must have been capped long ago and the valve tossed unfortunately.

Ron H · Dec 7, 2016

Coincidently been chatting with a member (furyus63) about this same problem as I never could get a leak to stop after doing a rebuild on the valve and appeared my issue was not getting the proper size o-ring after trying several. A crummy design I think finagling with it. furyus63 told me the correct size as he successfully installed. He gave me the sizing if you think this will be helpful...agree if anyone came up with a nifty solution great to hear!

PRND21 · Dec 7, 2016

Glenwood said:
I do not have a valve to rebuild. The kit is for insulation and gaskets for the housing etc.
Mine must have been capped long ago and the valve tossed unfortunately.

I wondered if that had some type of soldered in plug. After I posted that I got to thinking that you were talking about a heater box insulation kit. I had a NOS valve for my 65 Belvedere that I had bought 30+ years ago when you could still get them. Wish I'd bought a half dozen of them. Keep posting if you come up with a fix, still have to do something with the 64. Kind of nice to have a heater on those cool evenings.

Glenwood · Dec 7, 2016

PRND21 said:
I wondered if that had some type of soldered in plug. After I posted that I got to thinking that you were talking about a heater box insulation kit. I had a NOS valve for my 65 Belvedere that I had bought 30+ years ago when you could still get them. Wish I'd bought a half dozen of them. Keep posting if you come up with a fix, still have to do something with the 64. Kind of nice to have a heater on those cool evenings.

especially in a convertible! The mrs. won't be too happy if no heat is available.

Ron H · Dec 7, 2016

As I remember if memory serves me, the aftermarket valves were not rebuildable unlike the original. I had an aftermarket valve and searched a j-yard - the kind where the owner says about where the car is and take your tools and go hunt it down. Luckily the one I pulled was an original valve. That old yard was neat I think it's still there Waupun WI. Recall it was sort of eery trampling through the yard not a soul around under a fresh fallen snow looking at the old cars staring back like the '58 Desoto partially behind a tree...then I'm under the dash working the valve out and a guy kicks me in the leg scaring the **** out of me (a fellow mopar forum member) well my bad, I got off on a tangent...

Mike67 · Dec 7, 2016

I would think you could find a cable controlled valve at any parts house or online. As far as reworki g the connections I dont see why you could not pull the coil and solder in a 1/2" male or female adapter. Personally I think its a great idea. If you are worried about heating up the joints on the coil itself you can get heat sink paste which will help keep the heat where you want and keep it from migrating...

Ron H · Dec 24, 2017

Re-opening an old post here: A winter project on my '63 Fury, one of a bunch, is getting back to leaky heater control valve I encountered after rebuilding the valve as I had posted about earlier here. Just curious how many others have had this problem with this in their early B's and what they may have found caused it? Before getting into this now that I've dynomatted and put in new carpet, would like to know in case there's other culprits I don't know about besides the O ring I'm assuming is the problem. Thanks!

Glenwood · Dec 24, 2017

I kept an old core to experiment with but haven't got around to it yet. The damaged valve i received sealed fine with the old oring and a new seal. I put plastic on the floor when i connected the heater hoses just in case.

retractable · Dec 24, 2017

I have been told they used to solder a penny in to replace the valve. A penny was the correct size. There was a person in Superior Wi that would repair the valves. I dont know who.

Modifying heater core outlet?

Glenwood

Well-Known Member

PRND21

FBBO Gold Member

Glenwood

Well-Known Member

PRND21

FBBO Gold Member

Glenwood

Well-Known Member

Ron H

FBBO Gold Member

PRND21

FBBO Gold Member

Glenwood

Well-Known Member

Ron H

FBBO Gold Member

Mike67

Well-Known Member

Ron H

FBBO Gold Member

Glenwood

Well-Known Member

retractable

FBBO Gold Member

Similar threads