Hello Steve,
Others will be able to tell you if a Spider heater core will fit. I
would call either IAP or Centerline and ask them though, they know.
A couple of things come to mind.
$300 for a heater core is not outrageous but I agree it is a lot of
money. You might see if you can get a second shop to price it. I use a
local guy who works on truck radiators; you might have to do some
digging along those lines to find a 2nd shop in the same town.
Regardless of your source I recommend you pressure test the entire
system before you compete your install.
I was way into a car last summer to replace a heater core, as in I had
to do a lot of dis-assembly. I installed a brand new part out of the
box from a reliable supplier that I have had good success with. Nearly
1-1/2 hours of reassembly later I pressure tested the system - and found
the heater core had a huge leak. Sure the supplier replaced it but not
my lost time. Dummy me! Especially considering I had all the tools to
do it within reach.
It should not be difficult to pressure test. You can install a truck
tire valve in the old radiator cap (you were going to replace it anyway,
right?) I can give you specifics if you contact me off line.
Basically, I recommend you plumb the entire system and pressurize it
before you put everything back together. If it holds for 10 minutes you
are set. If not, a bottle of soapy water or someone's good hearing will
locate the leaks quickly.
And I would replace every hose involved plus the thermostat, etc all at
the same time.
Scott Shure
85 GTV-6
Baltimore, MD
Date: Mon, 9 Apr 2012 13:59:52 -0400 (EDT)
From:[email protected]
Subject: [alfa] Heater core fitment - Spider vs. GTV
Hi all. I'm currently rebuilding the heater box in my '72 GTV& I've got
a question about heater core fitment. My core was leaking a bit& in
looking on IAP& Centerlines site, neither carry replacement cores.
I took my core to the local radiator shop to have them price rebuilding
it. The owner just called& was ashamed to say the core itself was $250!!!!
It would be over $300 said& done.
That being said I'm looking into finding a useable core somewhere else (IE
find one on a car someone is parting).
I've found one that looks right based on pictures, but I'm not sure. I'm
waiting for the seller to get back to me with price. It's advertised as
fitting a '74-94 Spider& the owner wasn't sure about fitment on a GTV.
Does anyone here know if this core will work, and if not is there any year
spider core that will since those seem to be a little more common than the
GTVs?
Thanks.
Steve in Balboa, CA
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