1960 Electra Heater Core

[avgwarhawk]

It appears I have a leak at the heater core or control valve. I smell the sickening sweet antifreeze when engaging the heat. Fog on windows. I opened a small access door under the dash for the cable. It is dry inside. I see partial the core. I suspect the control valve my be the culprit as the coolant smell lasts about 5 minutes. Then its fine. Removal of the core cover is not difficult? Any tips on any dreaded hidden nut/bolt that needs to come out for the heater box removal ? Is the experience of most it is found the valve is found leaking?

[Bob Engle]

The valve was leaking on my 60 Invicta and the core was pressure tested with no leaks.  Getting the belden cables disconnected for the controls is a nuisance.  The 60 Buick Chassis service manual has a god description for core and valve assembly removal.

 

Bob Engle

[avgwarhawk]

Hello Bob,

 

I did some more investigation and it would be the heater box is removed entirely from the inside.   Mine is a non-a/c car.  I did read that the control valve is generally the culprit.  I took a look through the access door and did not see the telltale moisture or smell it for that matter.   I also wiped around with my finger only to find no moisture.  Driving home from the show I got the brief smell of antifreeze when I put the heat on.   At any rate, I suspect the valve and will tackle the repair.  Not the first heater core I have done.  Thankfully it is not a Ford/Mercury where the entire dash is in your lap to get at the core.  Oh, and a 98 Dodge mini-van.  That's another story.  

 

Thanks for the tip and Belden cable nuisance.        

[Smartin]

The heater core in the 60 w/o AC is not too bad to get to...like you mention, it comes out via the interior heater box.  I've done a couple of them.  I hear a lot about the control valves, but the cores I have pulled have all been bad.

[JoelsBuicks]

I had a catastrophic failure of the valve and I recall sending it to a guy who specialized in rebuilding these.  Mine is a 60 Electra w/o AC.  The job wasn't bad at all and The manual was very helpful. 

 

I also recall that it had that smell for weeks before it dumped into the floor.  My core was good.

 

Fine automobile you have, I drive mine almost every day - over 200 miles just today.  Take care, -Joel

 

 

[avgwarhawk]

Thanks for the tips!  Catastrophic failure has a real bad ring to it. Fusick carries the valve. I'll dig into at the end of the month.  I have a very busy next few weeks. 

 

As far as daily driving I can see that very easily.  Very comfortable car to drive.  The day I purchased I drove 188 miles.  It was pleasurable.