Heater core Reccomendation

[Ottoman]

I was lookin to drop by the scrap yard this weekend and pick up a heater core to use as a radiator...didn't wanna spend crazy money on a coil of tubing if I could get it cheap...


do u guys reccomend one in specific I should look for?

I have a huge roomy full tower ATX so I think it could be a decent size...

I didn't wanna walk in there and be like "yeah I need a heater core about yay big"...

any makes or models I should ask for or look out for

thanx guys

[pHaestus]

mid 70s Chevy Caprices are great

[Diggrr]

Pre '88 Ford Taurus' are a good one too. 6" X 9.5" overall and a copper core to boot. My local junkyard always has a half dozen or so of these cars around....that's why I don't own one anymore. :D

[Ottoman]

how do u think their performance compares to 'real' radiators?

[MechCD]

What do you mean by a "real radiator"?

Every radiaotr type device is designed for a specific purpose, so there isn't really one set design for a radiator.

Just about any heater core will cool better than a black ice and one of those cube things at dangerden.

Check out the radiaotr shootout over at www.procooling.com

[res0r9lm]

Originally posted by MechCD
What do you mean by a "real radiator"?

Every radiaotr type device is designed for a specific purpose, so there isn't really one set design for a radiator.

Just about any heater core will cool better than a black ice and one of those cube things at dangerden.

Check out the radiaotr shootout over at www.procooling.com
blackice extreme will out do any heater core except in price

[Ottoman]

I saw oil coolers on tv, they look pretty small too...

would those work?

and how do u guys attach the hoses? they don't use regular barbs do they?

[pHaestus]

blackice extreme will out do any heater core except in price

A black ice extreme IS a heatercore basically just with a smaller size and with denser fins so requires more CFM in its fans. For its size it is quite nice but I have a hard time believing it is going to outperform a heatercore well over twice its size. The BIX is a good fit for smaller cases though.

[res0r9lm]

don't really matter which you choose blackice prime is rated for 419 watts so whatever fits your case will cool just fine

[Ottoman]

I'm not lookin for an aftermarkey marked up retail one...

I was lookin for one I could salvage from a car...

oil cooler or heater core?

[Diggrr]

Hey again, Ottoman.

We have to adapt heater cores and tranny coolers to work where we want them to.
A heater core usually comes with a pair of 5/8 tubes meant for a car's waterline. Using a propane torch, these can be quickly de-soldered and replaced with hose barbs. The ones with 1/2" npt threads (brass) fit quite nicely in their place. I use paste plumbing flux and plumbing solder.
For a tranny cooler, you can cut off the fittings it comes with and solder on hose barbs (assuming copper tubing) or JBWeld them on (assuming aluminum tubing). You can also buy compression fittings that will adapt the tubing to the hose barbs, but they will add extra length to the tubes, so room becomes an issue.

Heater cores outperform tranny coolers, but if you don't plan on using a peltier down the road, they will perform fine. I'd suggest building a shroud around either one to improve performance of the fans, cause zip ties mount the fans too close for good air flow over all the fins' surfaces.

Any more questions, come on back!

[Ottoman]

Thanx Diggrr..

you're quite the regular Tim Allen...

since we're on the topic...


I've got the waterblock coming shortly...
I had originally gone bong...

got the PVC laying here..

How can I drill half inch hole in the plastic cap without a drill that a chuck that big??

I've got a Dremel and a soldering Iron... so I don't think the radiator would be a prob... but I 'd like to try both out....

[Slmhofy]

I used a heatercore out of mid 70's to 80's FORD van. The thing is huge and took a little moding of the case, but works great and I know that I'll probably never have to upgrade. Placed it at the bottom front of my case, built a plexiglass shroud with 2 80mm fans @ 7v and I'm ready to go.

[Diggrr]

To make the holes in the PVC, I just drilled a 3/8" hole with the drill and dremeled it out to fit the NPT end of the hose barb. The PVC gives pretty well, so the fitting will make it's own threads by forcing it into the hole. Remove it, then add some plumber's tape and sccrew it back in.

A soldering iron (at least most) wouldn't do for the fittings on a radiator. The metal in the radiator would suck the heat away from the joint too fast for it to get hot enough to melt solder. You really should borrow, rent, buy or steal a propane torch. Do be carefull not to touch the hot metal, as it only takes a couple of seconds to get it hot enough to melt solder.
*solder flux can also spatter like hot grease, so wear some glasses too.*

[f155mph]

I used an heater core from a 72-74 Buick Skylark. Got it for 18.99 at Autozone. Cut the copper pipes off and solder two brass barbs on it. The 1/2 npt barbs fit perfectly on the pipes. Then I JB weld it.

[Diggrr]

Absolutely, you could stick to just the JBWeld if the soldering isn't your bag. I love that stuff!

[jbslow]

Does anyone know of a heater core that is no taller then 8in vertical (tall) by 7in horizontal*wide) I mean total height not just the fins?

f155mph , how tall are those heater cores you have their please be exact.

[res0r9lm]

Originally posted by jbslow
Does anyone know of a heater core that is no taller then 8in vertical (tall) by 7in horizontal*wide) I mean total height not just the fins?

f155mph , how tall are those heater cores you have their please be exact.
blackice is 5 1/2''wide by 6''high

[orangezero]

the escort car has cheap heater cores. i got a chevy chevette 78 at autozone for 16.99, good and small. total was about 7 and 3/8ths x 6 and 5/8ths. 2 in thick. the barbs would stick out sideways so its not as tall.

haven't put it in yet but most people just use one 120mm fan on it.

later,

[res0r9lm]

also 172mm comair would fit nicely

[Scottland]

yeah i just recently got a ford heater core its like 5 7/8 by 6 1/2 over at autozone... cost 18.99

i don't have a torch so i just cut off the 5/8 copper pipes down to the bottom... shoved a 3/8 barb in each and JBWELDed EVERYTHING

couple of weeks i'll have the money for a water block and pump

but i plyed around with the heater core and a garden hose... works good with high pressure from a garden hose... so i think its fine

JBWELD RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D :D :D :D

[JoeCrappa]

yeah i JB Welded my heatercore too. works wonders. i got a pinto heatercore from ebay for about $20 shipped.

[res0r9lm]

jb weld & duct tape should be in everybody's toolbox...:D
I used torch and solder method myself.

[JFettig]

i just had a big one laying around, i cut it in half and made some fittings and whatnots on it...

ill post a pic when i take it out.... for rearangement

[Ottoman]

OK..

I got my heater core, ended up having to buy a new one, cost me 35 US :mad: :mad: cheapest and smaller one I could find...

How do u guys fit in your case WOW...

my fins is 20cmx16cm... then a little more on each side, plus a little....

[res0r9lm]

Originally posted by Ottoman
OK..

I got my heater core, ended up having to buy a new one, cost me 35 US :mad: :mad: cheapest and smaller one I could find...

How do u guys fit in your case WOW...

my fins is 20cmx16cm... then a little more on each side, plus a little....
sometimes space can be a problem. thats sound like it should fit. might have to take hard drive cage out to make room. you will have to move HD to one of your 5 1/4 slots up top

[jbell]

IFMU has some heater cores for sale in the classifieds - if you can not get into the classifieds - PM him and I am sure he will be glad to help you out...

[Ottoman]

Originally posted by jbell
IFMU has some heater cores for sale in the classifieds - if you can not get into the classifieds - PM him and I am sure he will be glad to help you out...

sorry I already got it... I saw his but I've ordered a pump and it's taken forever to come I'm tired of waiting for mail so I went local...


as for moving the drives, I have 2 drives, ah well sacrifices..

but does that mean a huge ugly hole in the front now?

[JFettig]

no. or you could put it on top of your computer, i did and had the fans in the top drive bay.....

i would send a pic but i cant, my camera dont work....