Nissens heater core quality

[dm635]

I've just posted a heater core replacement question. Going through all the normal Volvo sites for parts the Nissens core is the only one coming up consistently. Like their radiators it's aluminum core with plastic tanks. That's the one I ordered. Hasn't arrived yet.

I also pulled up rock auto. They show 3 all aluminum cores, and I didn't recognize either of the 3. In the description of 1 it said variable adjustable pipe. That just didn't sound right to me. What I get from that is bend it till it fits. Still, something tells me going through this pain in the backside repair I should have ordered 1 of the 3.

Just checking if anyone has installed the Nissens and are you happy with your decision? All I say is if I use the wrong core at least the 2nd time will be quicker. Volvo apparently used this same core according to the fitment list. The pipes coming through the firewall on the 960 and 740 are metal and indicated as the same part. What about taking the core I remove from the 960 and take it to a radiator shop for repair?

[precopster]

You still have radiator shops over there?

Our last one closed about 5 years ago in our region....it was a specialty trade watching those guys braze on new fins to brass tanks.....They could fix almost anything with an oxy torch. Reminds me of my first vehicle.

Nissens make mostly good stuff for P80s and P2s. Can't say I've used their 960 stuff though.

[93Regina]

You still have radiator shops over there?

For automobiles, I suspect few exist. But, for older semi-trucks, industrial engines, and farm tractor radiators, there are still some left.

Labor repair cost versus new cost wiped out many shops with these newer radiators for automobiles.

I had a 240 engine radiator cleaned several years ago, but I would buy a new heater radiator.

[dm635]

I've had 2 days now to 2nd guess myself. Let's just hope the Nissens does its job. Made the choice and will have to live with it. See how it goes.

Going to the local "pull a part". Normally they don't have a single 960 on the lot. Surprisingly they have 4 960's right now. Going Sunday to practice. Anybody in the Louisville area there's a surplus at the moment.

[dm635]

Someone please tell me they used the Nissens heater core just so I can feel good about my decision.

[93Regina]

Nissens heater core

Hey, its better than Hot Bricks

The earliest car heaters were strange items. Back in the early 1900s, objects called “heater boxes” were popular. These were low-profile metal boxes covered with a carpet-like fabric that you could slide a heated brick into. The bricks were usually heated in a fireplace or oven before trips. After the hot brick was placed in them, they would then be placed on the car’s floor and would help heat the feet and legs of the driver and passengers. It was crude but they provided a bit of relief from the cold.

or better than

Heat via the exhaust manifold

Engineers soon learned that lots of heat was simply being lost out the tail pipe of vehicles. The result was that during the 1920s a number of manufacturers designed special exhaust manifolds that allowed some of that exhaust heat to be funneled into the passenger compartment, and it was done by casting an additional airway above the engine exhaust ports that connected right to the passenger compartment. These “heater manifolds” could throw out lots of heat but it was difficult to control. Back then there weren’t any electric fans or dash controls to distribute the heat so what you got was way too much heat, all the time. An exhaust manifold kind of heater was a solution to the problem, but not an ideal one.


Heat via the cooling system

Engineers started working with the coolant and radiator system in the 1930s. It was easy, they ran the hot coolant developed in the engine-radiator system into the passenger compartment. This coolant was run into a small radiator located under the dash and an electric fan blew it throughout the cabin. That was the beginning of the present-day car heating system. In particular, Nash Motors got this going in 1937 using filters and fine climate controls.

[dm635]

Thanks for the history.