[yellow1098]

Sooo a couple of questions around this one…my heater core is leaking pretty bad inside the car? I removed my AC as I never used it but I kept the heater core as I was told it would help with engine cooling. How true is that? Also do I have to remove it if it’s leaking or can I just cut the hoses and bypass it?

Also, I image a leaking heater core would effect engine cooling also correct? Thanks as always!

[b-man]

It really only cools the engine some when you’re forcing air through it with the heater blower fan on. Just as much as you’d expect a tiny radiator to cool a large passenger car engine, not much.

Otherwise no.

Bypassing it is fine. Think about how the factory built some cars with heater delete, bypassed completely because they had no heater core.

[geeteeohguy]

Originally Posted by b-man

It really only cools the engine some when you’re forcing air through it with the heater blower fan on. Just as much as you’d expect a tiny radiator to cool a large passenger car engine, not much.

Otherwise no.

Bypassing it is fine. Think about how the factory built some cars with heater delete, bypassed completely because they had no heater core.

This^^. The heater core DOES add coolant capacity, which can help a small amount. But cars with no heater seem to run at the same temps, so.....

[yellow1098]

Thank b-man….I didn’t think it would make to much of a difference either but thought I’d ask being in florida and on the hot days I’d want all the help I could get….also, If I left it in and bypassed it would it still be sitting there leaky full of coolant? Or does it return or dry up? Thanks

[b-man]

There would be old coolant sitting in there unless you blow it all out using compressed air.

It’s nice to have heat and be able to defog your windshield, personally I’d want a working heater setup.

When you’re on the verge of overheating on a very hot day I suppose it’s a good thing to be able to utilize that heater core to try and take the edge off, and cook your feet a little at the same time.

[Scarebird]

Originally Posted by b-man

...When you’re on the verge of overheating on a very hot day I suppose it’s a good thing to be able to utilize that heater core to try and take the edge off, and cook your feet a little at the same time.

You would set it on defrost - it does help if you are on the edge of overheating.

[lust4speed]

And nothing better stuck in traffic on a hot blistering day when it's also just as stinkin' hot inside the car to slide the heat lever all the way over and hit the fan on high and share in the 230+ degree engine heat.

That's another one of those things we all did once but most of us never did again...

[kingbuzzo]

This thread/debate is educational for me....she runs a little hot but only on the hottest days with a four core...

[Half-Inch Stud]

Theoretically yes. Practically, not even a little.

[Scarebird]

Originally Posted by Half-Inch Stud

Theoretically yes. Practically, not even a little.

Not true at all. My Lemans was being used in a 4th of July parade that was a bit too much for the radiator - running the heater eliminated enough heat to keep it from boiling over which would be a bit embarrassing with the mayor sitting on the top of the back seat.

Replaced with a 4 core so no more issues.

[Half-Inch Stud]

Originally Posted by Scarebird

Not true at all. My Lemans was being used in a 4th of July parade that was a bit too much for the radiator - running the heater eliminated enough heat to keep it from boiling over which would be a bit embarrassing with the mayor sitting on the top of the back seat.

Replaced with a 4 core so no more issues.

My experiences with running the Heater to avoid overheat were not so helpful. Yet everyone should try it.

[yellow1098]

How would you blow it out with it in the car? Just stick the air into the copper opening coming out of the firewall? For now I’m thinking just bypass it

[Skidmark]

You could bypass it for now and if the inconvenience of not having warm air for your defroster becomes an issue later, install a new heater core then. I've bypassed them before without blowing out the remaining anti freeze in the old core. I don't remember it causing any problems.

[Tom Vaught]

Originally Posted by Skidmark

You could bypass it for now and if the inconvenience of not having warm air for your defroster becomes an issue later, install a new heater core then. I've bypassed them before without blowing out the remaining anti freeze in the old core. I don't remember it causing any problems.

Issue with is you leave the leaky heater core in the vehicle, where does the water that was in the heater core go? I know the answer.

It sloshes around and eventually rots out the floorboard on the passenger side of the vehicle.

Always replace the thing if it leaks but can't imagine unless you are in the panhandle you ever would need a heater in Florida in the winter time.

Or that you would drive your car in the rain.

Tom V.

[Skidmark]

Originally Posted by Tom Vaught

Issue with is you leave the leaky heater core in the vehicle, where does the water that was in the heater core go? I know the answer.

It sloshes around and eventually rots out the floorboard on the passenger side of the vehicle.

Always replace the thing if it leaks but can't imagine unless you are in the panhandle you ever would need a heater in Florida in the winter time.

Or that you would drive your car in the rain.

Tom V.

Here is my experience further explain. I've had heater cores leak 2-3 times in my life. I discovered the leak by finding coolant in the floorboard. Those heater cores were in daily drivers that I used for work so I bypassed the cores until a more convenient time to replace. In my case, I cleaned the coolant up dried the carpet. Done deal. Never noticed any more coolant on floor after initial clean up. I have never had rusted out floorboard due to a bad heater core. The residual water left in the cores if any was left, evaporated over time. How much fluid does a heater core hold? Bypassing has stopped new fluid from entering the core.

Back then I didn't have the option not to drive my cars in the rain as they were my main mode of transportation. I've never owned a "show car". Too poor lol.

I lived 56 years in north central fla, central fla and the last 5 in the panhandle.

You do need a heater in Florida the same way you need AC in Michigan. It's a convenience. It freezes in central fla. Just ask the citrus farmers.

With the humidity in fla the warm defroster is a must for me.

I can only comment on my experience, but respect and appreciate others opinion on the subject.

[Tom Vaught]

Originally Posted by Skidmark

Here is my experience further explain. I've had heater cores leak 2-3 times in my life. I discovered the leak by finding coolant in the floorboard. Those heater cores were in daily drivers that I used for work so I bypassed the cores until a more convenient time to replace. In my case, I cleaned the coolant up dried the carpet. Done deal. Never noticed any more coolant on floor after initial clean up. I have never had rusted out floorboard due to a bad heater core. The residual water left in the cores if any was left, evaporated over time. How much fluid does a heater core hold? Bypassing has stopped new fluid from entering the core.

Back then I didn't have the option not to drive my cars in the rain as they were my main mode of transportation. I've never owned a "show car". Too poor lol.

I lived 56 years in north central fla, central fla and the last 5 in the panhandle.

You do need a heater in Florida the same way you need AC in Michigan. It's a convenience. It freezes in central fla. Just ask the citrus farmers.

With the humidity in fla the warm defroster is a must for me.

I can only comment on my experience, but respect and appreciate others opinion on the subject.

I had a rust free 64 GTO convertible in Missouri.
Moved to Kalamazoo Michigan to attend college there.
My Uncle was a Pontiac Dealer for 67 years in Michigan.

5+ years in the Michigan Salt killed my convertible frame.

So I can relate to having to drive my Pontiac vehicle in cold weather.

A rust free Georgia Frame was purchased and installed later on.

Car is never driven in the winter these days. Car has heater delete
now.

I respect your requirements for the car too.

Tom V.

[will slow gto]

Originally Posted by yellow1098

How would you blow it out with it in the car? Just stick the air into the copper opening coming out of the firewall? For now I’m thinking just bypass it

Yes, do this. I had a leaky one I didn’t blow out and left me with a little bit of rust in the floorpan. Also recommend pulling the carpet back and soaking up any moisture.

[Skip Fix]

Family friend road raced an MGB for his setup the heater core made a difference in the temp the motor ran. Looked pretty cool with fender flairs and road race slicks!

[bhill86]

Originally Posted by Skip Fix

Family friend road raced an MGB for his setup the heater core made a difference in the temp the motor ran. Looked pretty cool with fender flairs and road race slicks!

To be fair the heater core is probably not much smaller than the radiator lol. My fathers TR6 certainly has a small radiator.

(Joking of course. Kind of)

[East]

As others have stated; attempting to drive with fogged windshield from not having heater is very inconvenient.

I lived with that many years until getting A/C delete box on my 1969 Firebird.

I also thought that my engine was cooling better than when it was capped at rear of passenger head and at timing cover.

I live in Las Vegas and summer heat is well above 100 degrees.