Compatable Years for Heater Box/Core

[mikeyjohnston]

Does anyone know if a 1975's heater core box will fit in a 1980? And is it easier to replace the entire box or just remove the core, rework it and replace?

Thanks.

[mdrburchette]

According to the parts book it should be the same for all year models. You're going to have to pull the box to remove the core but the core is not that hard to replace. If you replace the entire box, I'd make sure the heater fan was good before installing.

[ventura ace]

I think this may be an error in the parts book, Denise. I ran into a problem several years ago when I tried to replace my heater core, and learned that there are at least 2 differences in heater core thickness (with corresponding difference in internal dimensions of heater core box to match the different heater cores). My guess, and this is purely a guess, is that you would have no problems with compatibility in replacing the whole heater box.

But, if you are replacing the heater core only, make sure that the replacement core will fit. In my case, the replacement core (from later years???) was about 3/8" thicker than the original (from my '70 spider), and there was no way to get the heater box back together with the thicker core. On the other hand, the earlier thinner core would probably fit OK in the later heater box, provided that appropriate measures are taken to keep it from rattling around. I have pictures that I can post tonight to show the difference, but I'm afraid that I don't have a record of the actual dimensions (the info was in a Thread that disappeared when the Forum software changed a few years back).

Alvon

[mikeyjohnston]

Thanks Alvon, I'll check back to see the photos.

[ventura ace]

Pic showing different heater cores used in the Fiat spider. The top one is the original one from my '70 spider. The bottom one came from a later year spider, and will not fit in the heater box for my '70 spider.

[mikeyjohnston]

Pretty big difference in those photos. Again makes my question still a question that needs an answer. Does anyone know what year the core size changed??? And will a '75 fit in an '80?

[manoa matt]

I've got heater cores and boxes from a 1976 and 1980, I'll check the dimensions tonight when I get home.

[manoa matt]

I checked last night and the heater cores form 76 and 80 have the same dimensions. Considering the 75 and 76 are both 1756CC cars and share the same wiring, I'd safely figure that heater core will fit correctly.

[mikeyjohnston]

Thanks for the information.