Thread: Heater core

Interested to know the spec of the "by-pass" hose that you carry. Is it literally just some heater hose with barbs installed - requiring some hose clamps to fit to the hoses that have been cut - engine side of the firewall?

Also - where did you manage to get the new (?) heater core from?

Regards.

Hi Gippslander,
Like you, I've read alot about getting the Heater Core out of a P38, but still haven't done it yet......... (am waiting on Heater Core to come from England)
It sounds Interesting the way you have gone about it.
Did you do it that way purely because you didn't want to cut the Frame of the dash, or was there another Incentive?
I'm still not sure which way I want to go about it...........


Davidsonsm,
Have a look at Rimmer Bros, or LR Series in the Motherland.
The Britpart one is the most common cheap Version.
I have a Britpart one in the Classic, and no probs so far.

In answer to the questions firstly i went to the local hardware shop and got two 3/4" 90 degree fittings which i then coupled together with a male male fitting, i then use two 3/4" barbed fittings which i screw into the 90 degree fittings making a u shape i then use two hose clamps to fit it to the two hoses going to the heater core. I will get a photograph when i get home so you can see the combination.
Second i didn't want to cut the frame as i believe it to be structural and i didn't want to weaken the area. It took a bit longer doing this but everything went smoothly and the end result worked. i.e I would recommend if you are going to go this way you should purchase some clips for the cover plate that goes across the front of the windscreen at the bottom so when you remove it you have spares for later. The wiper motor and arms come off easily, you will have to remove the pollen filter housing which attaches to the heater fan motor. When reinstalling you should fit the rubber cover to the heater motor frame first then feed it through the top of the panel as you fit the frame back in other wise it is difficult to push the rubber back down and over the fan housing. This might sound difficult but when you dismantle it you will see it is easy and the need to install it on the fan first.
I managed to get a heater core from a wreck i purchased some time ago for spares.Hope that helps if you need to speak to me PM me and i will be happy to call you to discuss.
Gippy

Here is the bypass i made up and carry all the time as you do being a P38 owner

Think I'll make one of those meself too!
Nice one.

Even fancier if you made a H piece and permanently installed it - with 3x valves - one normally closed on the horizontal section of the H, and two normally open on the upper sections of the rugby posts.

Gippslander, that is useful information. I'll be attacking the same job soon, only with the Audi core conversion.
I'm just wondering, did you had to shift or remove the steering column to pull the old core?
Troy N

Steering column stayed in place just had to pull frame outward enough to clear the column. Then it was all back together as removed.