How to repair heater core?

[66andBlue]

After pondering the  odds for a day I decided to remove the blower and heater core today. The core and the valve seem to  be in decent shape but to my surprise (since I had not heard any rattling) the cover plate on the core was loose and when I  removed the core the left bracket came off also (picture 1).  In addition most of the foam backing has disintegrated (picture 2).
My questions to all you core experts are:
1. How shall I attach the bracket and cover again? Use a metal-to-metal glue? Or do some welding?
2. Shall I replace the crumbling foam with new foam again?
If you have anything else to suggest after looking at the pictures, please let me know. Thanks a million!

Download Attachment: HeaterCoreBracket.jpg
78.72 KB

Download Attachment: HeaterCoreFoam.jpg
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Alfred
1966 blue 230SL automatic

[psmith]

Hi Alfred,
I can't really advise as I haven't been this far down the path before, but it looks like you will  certainly have to replace the foam.  Maybe they make something more durable now.  
I really replied to say that you have a knack for taking and editing good photos.  Do you have enough photos to document the whole heater lever/core repair project?  Maybe it could be posted on this site to help others with this challenging project.

Pete S.

[Naj ✝︎]

Hello, Alfred,

Your local friendly radiator repairer should be able to solder the bracket back to the core.
When remounting,I used large rubber faucet washers between core and the body and used nyloc nuts just tightened enough so that the core did not get distorted or stressed.
I did relpace the foam.

naj

65 230SL
68 280SL

[ChrisInNashville]

My heater core needs replacing.   I'm advised by my mechanic that it's a 14 hour job... does this sound reasonable/correct?

[dldubois]

Alfred:

I just went through the same process.  I had my core bypassed when the car was purchased as the valve was leaking.  I pulled the core out and ended up knocking the bracket loose on one side.  I fixed the valve w/ an O ring from Lowe's and ended up taking to a radiator shop where it was tested and flushed.   They soldiered the bracket on for me.   Mine was about 50% blocked.  I'd definitely recommend as these have been in the cars for close to 40 years.

Dana DuBois

1969 280sl auto
blue (906)
Corinth, TX

[66andBlue]

Thanks for all the replies.
Pete S, my plan is to take lots of pictures when I install the parts again and then put them together for the planned WIKI manual.
Naj and Dana, the core is now at the local radiator shop for soldering and I keep my fingers crossed that the bracket (bracelet) will be in the exact same position as before, otherwise there will be more fun in store for me whe it has to go in again!
And Chris, my repair shop quoted 12 hours labor time w/o an A/C unit or 14 with an A/C unit. I believe these shops all use the same M-B book that lists job times.

Alfred
1966 blue 230SL automatic