So how many have had to deal with this? I first experienced it in the 90's replacement heater cores with the pipe/nipples probably 3/4" shorter than the original, at first you rarely even notice it, but when you've reinstalled the heater box & discover that the nipples only protrude about 1/2" through the firewall & when you slip the hoses on the hose clamp has to be right up to the firewall to have any hope of success....
Like I said, first noticed it in the 90's & having just done another heater core I see the problem still exists....
My solution? I cut the nipples off the old heater core & splice them to the new core.....
I cut the tubes saving as much of the straight section as I can then I cut the ridge off the tubes of the new heater core.... Those tubes are exactly the same O/D as 1/2" copper pipe so 1/2" solder couplers work perfectly.... Clean everything well, flux & solder it up...
Like I said, first noticed it in the 90's & having just done another heater core I see the problem still exists....
My solution? I cut the nipples off the old heater core & splice them to the new core.....
I cut the tubes saving as much of the straight section as I can then I cut the ridge off the tubes of the new heater core.... Those tubes are exactly the same O/D as 1/2" copper pipe so 1/2" solder couplers work perfectly.... Clean everything well, flux & solder it up...