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Heater core in 73, early? late?
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Author:  RDJ [ Sat Mar 10, 2007 12:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Heater core in 73, early? late?
73 Swinger. with A/C. The AC isn't currently installed, but I have it all boxed up if I want to install it later.

I have been getting a TON of vapor out of my vents recently. It was suggested to me by /6Dan it is most likely a plugged condensation drain or leaking heater core. My passenger floor is wet with oily water, and oily water is in my vent. Would the oil in the water indicate anything else? It hasn't been out in the rain, so leakage from the wiper seals isn't the source, although I will change those out while I am into all of this.

My radiator is a little low, so I am thinking it may be the core. I went on RockAuto to check prices of heater cores. It seems that I have two choices, early or late. I checked previous post. Apparently 63-72 are interchangable. So I guess 73 is some sort of transition year with some getting the 72 cores and some getting the 74 cores?

Is there a way to find out which one I have before I dig into the dash and remove it?

Here are the numbers from my fender tag if somebody knows how to get the build date from it, and if the date of manufacture can help.

Plus, does anybody have a preference between Proliance or Four Seasons heater cores?

R11 V5X END
H51 L31 M21 M25 M26 M85
V1L U 22 B41 F11 G33
HL4 E2L3 000 212 370440
E24 D34 LH23 33R 241298
Author:  SlantSixDan [ Sat Mar 10, 2007 4:07 pm ]
Post subject: 
Your "oily" water is almost certainly water mixed with coolant/antifreeze, which does feel oily if you rub it between your fingers. Sounds like you will need a heater core.

The A-body heater/AC system was redesigned for '73, underwent a few midyear-'73 changes, and then was more significantly redesigned for '74.

The split date for early vs. late is May 15, 1973.

Per the fender tag, your car was built on February 12, 1973. So, yours should call for the "early" variety.

As for brand: Four Seasons has a reputation as a supplier of heat and A/C parts. "Proliance" is one of those brand names that appeared out of the blue a couple years ago when some MBAs got together and decided to start distributing radiators and heater cores. My strong suspicion is that most of their stuff is Chinese trash, but I don't have enough data.

Rest of your fender tag decodes as follows (remember, tags are read from left to right and bottom to top):

E24: 225 1bbl 6-cylinder engine

D34: 904 Torqueflite automatic transmission

LH23: Dodge Dart, high trim level, 2-door hardtop

C3R ("33R" does not compute, it's a C): 225-1bbl 105hp 6-cyl, 1973, built at Windsor, Ontario, Canada

241298: Serial number

HL4: Paint code, "Parchment", PPG #2427

E2L3: Economy vinyl bench seats, parchment

000: Upper door frame panel paint

212: Build date 2 February 1973

370440: Vehicle order number

V1L: Vinyl top, full, champagne

U: Build to US-market specifications

22: 22" radiator width

B41: Front disc brakes

F11: 50-ampere alternator

G33: Outside mirror, left side, manual, chrome

H51: Heater with A/C

L31: Fender turn signal blinkers

M21: Roof drip rail mouldings

M25: Wide sill moulding

M26: Wheel lip moulding

M85: Bumper guard package

R11: Radio, music master AM

V5X: Mouldings, protective insert bodyside, black

END: End of codes
Author:  RDJ [ Sat Mar 10, 2007 4:23 pm ]
Post subject: 
Fantastic. I copied that info into a word doc so I can save it. Thanks.

I noticed when I checked the Kragen website for heater cores, the "Ready-Aire" cores had the same part numbers as the "Proliance" cores on Rockauto.
Author:  RDJ [ Sat Mar 10, 2007 4:26 pm ]
Post subject: 
BTW, is it OK to run a hose straight from the head to the water pump so I can drive the car while the heater core is out?
Author:  volaredon [ Sat Mar 10, 2007 4:31 pm ]
Post subject: 
I believe that the Proliance brand is what used to be known as Modine,
Author:  volaredon [ Sat Mar 10, 2007 4:31 pm ]
Post subject: 
I believe that the Proliance brand is what used to be known as Modine,
Author:  SlantSixDan [ Sat Mar 10, 2007 4:59 pm ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
I believe that the Proliance brand is what used to be known as Modine,
H'mm. Modine are still Modine, but I'm finding some statements that Proliance is a new name for what used to be Modine's aftermarket operations. I'll dig around a little more and see what I find.

I'm sure you can understand my being gunshy about the matter, with so many brandoids (cutesy names like "Masterstop", "ready-aire", "ready-rad", and so forth) on the market today. Crap-quality parts don't come in plain white boxes any more... :roll:
Author:  SlantSixDan [ Sat Mar 10, 2007 5:00 pm ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
BTW, is it OK to run a hose straight from the head to the water pump so I can drive the car while the heater core is out?
Yep! That's just fine, to loop one of the heater hoses back to the other fitting so you can drive.
Author:  SlantSixDan [ Sat Mar 10, 2007 5:01 pm ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
"Ready-Aire"
Another made-up nonbrand.
Author:  RDJ [ Tue Mar 27, 2007 2:00 pm ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
Your "oily" water is almost certainly water mixed with coolant/antifreeze, which does feel oily if you rub it between your fingers. Sounds like you will need a heater core.

The A-body heater/AC system was redesigned for '73, underwent a few midyear-'73 changes, and then was more significantly redesigned for '74.

The split date for early vs. late is May 15, 1973.

Per the fender tag, your car was built on February 12, 1973. So, yours should call for the "early" variety.
Just an update FYI. I ordered the early, got here last week. I removed my heater core (sure enough, big leaky section), and is different than the early one I ordered. It matches the pictures of the late version. So I ordered one of those, it should be here tomorrow.
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