[sparx]

Where can I get a heater core for a 66, it has add on air so I guess I need one specd as non ac?

sparx

[quikmcw]

You can pick one up from RockAuto

RockAuto Parts Catalog

[sparx]

thanks, forgot about RockAuto
jim

[Ivy66GT]

In '66 the heater core was the same with or without A/C since the Ford A/C was essentially an add-on unit. That changed in '67.

Rock Auto sold the Proliance heater cores a few months ago. As of this instant they don't list a heater core for a '66 Mustang at all.

I didn't buy from Rock Auto since by the time I paid shipping it was nearly the same as one from Virginia Classic Mustang. I had hoped the VCM one would be more original, but it wasn't, it was the same Proliance. Now, according to their website,VCM sells not only what was the Proliance but also a more original brass one for more $$. The Proliance is aluminum, quite a bit undersized and took a lot of extra foam packed around it so it wouldn't rattle around loose inside the heater box. I would probably pay the extra for the brass one if I were doing it again today.

[1966er]

Summit Proliance Ready-Aire 399022 - Proliance Ready-Aire Heater Cores - Overview - SummitRacing.com
Just received mine yesterday. Looks like super nice quality.

[sparx]

Originally Posted by 1966er

Summit Proliance Ready-Aire 399022 - Proliance Ready-Aire Heater Cores - Overview - SummitRacing.com
Just received mine yesterday. Looks like super nice quality.

I found that last night, is it brass, does it need the pads?

Jim

[Ivy66GT]

That is a good price but its also the exact same one I used which is undersized. They all need foam, but that one needs double foam, triple in places, to hold it in the case. See picture for details. Its smaller in nearly every dimension. They put plates on the sides to try to make it fit like the thicker originals but they weren't entirely successful. The pipes being at the wrong angle don't help but that isn't its biggest problem.

[sparx]

Spec says it is 8 x 6 x 2 and that is the size of the one I have now.
I will double check the fit of the old one, it was the end of the day and I cannot recall for certain but it seemed to fit snug in the heater box.
sparx

[Ivy66GT]

An original '66 Mustang heater core, shown in my picture above and now held in my hand, measures 9 1/4 x 6 x 2 1/2" including the end tanks. That is the size the heater box is designed to hold and the Proliance is NOT that size. The core alone on the original is 8" long and looking at the picture you can see the new is NOT the size of the old. There is no meaningful dimension of the 'new' that could be 8".

Will it fit? Sort of. Does it make a factory-original restoration person happy? No. It also hasn't yet made his feet wet so he can tolerate it since its hidden from view.

The part number on the original is C0DF-18476-A2. It was originally designed for something c1960.

Here are my notes about the heater core:
It is the same item I would have bought at Rock Auto and after shipping from VCM it was about the same price as it would have been at Rock. I believe it is an Al core but it is only about half thickness of the old one. It has metal extensions on the side to make it wider but even those are a full 1/2" narrower than the old core. The old core was nearly too thick, but this will rattle around without more foam. I ended up putting more foam on both sides of the core so that it at least won't rattle and the air flow will be mostly through the core instead of around it at the sides. Thank goodness for left over under carpet foam from (another car).

[sparx]

OK
Have an email in now to Virginia Classic for size of their offering.
Jim

[sparx]

VC has the right size: 2 x6 x 9
39.95 is the price

[Ivy66GT]

Yes, that is a copper one supposedly similar to the original ones. They weren't available when I bought mine a few months ago.

If you order one I will be interested in knowing how close it actually is to the originals. If is only 2" thick that will require a bit of extra foam as well.

[1966er]

Not here to disagree & nothing beats original, but, I just finished installing the one from Summit. I just put 1'4" of foam from the re-seal kit I had left over on the ends. Fits like a glove. No rattles & heats great. I believe this is an all aluminum core.

[sparx]

I almost got that one, size really is not a big deal with me but I don't like aluminum heater cores, please do not take offense.

sparx

[1966er]

Originally Posted by sparx

I almost got that one, size really is not a big deal with me but I don't like aluminum heater cores, please do not take offense.

sparx

I thought the same thing at first. But, I said, what the hell. They also make aluminum radiators in just about all vehicles now.