Hoping maybe someone here has a source for a copper/brass heater core for my old 96. I have scoured the internet but only have turned up aluminum ones.
Maybe my internet goo foo is off? Anybody got any info on a vendor?
Thanks in advance!

 

There these 2 places that I know of
https://www.radiatorexpress.com/prod...222957/1373666
https://www.superiorcooling.co/48740...-wrangler.html

 

Both those are 97+, the op has a 96. I put one of those, I forget which, in my 2000 a year ago and it works fine and the heat about drives you outa there.
If there are no 96's out there I wonder what the difference between the 96 and 97+ is ?. If the actual core is the same and the only difference is the inlet/outlet pipes length or bends I would be tempted to cut the pipes an inch or two away from the old (assuming it's copper) and the new cores and , using some short sleeves, solder the old tubing to the new core.
Too many horror stories about aluminum cores, who cares if they have a warranty,too much work to replace.

 

As much as I want to believe there is a copper/brass heater core out there for a 1996 XJ, I was afraid they would only list 97 and up vehicles. I do appreciate Tech throwing them up there as well!

exasemech you pose the same thoughts that I have about the difference between a 96 and 97 heater cores. My memory fades, but they look like the body (main core) is the same and maybe it is just the outlet pipes are different. If you are someone with a 97 and up can post a pic of the underhood heater core piping I can compare at least that part of them! I am not looking forward to changing this core, but the longer I put it off it seems more of the products may become unavailable. So the late winter, early spring seems like a good time. I just replaced the knee kick panel and the front seats so I will pull them to get to the dash/heater core and then pull the carpets back to expose the floor pans as I have a new passenger side to fit in. Then pull the headliner as I will be doing some work on the roof and don't want to ruin the liner backer. That is just the major stuff on the agenda....lots of little things to get done as well.

 

SigI can't provide any pictures as the old core was sold for the copper and the new core will hopefully never see the light of day.

One thing that occurred to me is that the 97+ has no heater valve and the 2 tubes coming off the core are 2 different diameters. I wonder if on the earlier ones with the heater valve the tubes are both the same diameter. That would be really easy to deal with if it's the only difference.
Someone here ought to be able to answer that ( l no longer have my 96.

 

can you call a dealership and get the number for both and see if they match????????????????????????????????????????????? ?????

 

Try here they list 1984-2001 copper heater cores

 

Bruce, that is a good link but I wonder how they say it will fit a 1984-2001 unless it is made to order! By the price in the link, I think thats what they do. Call me cheap, but thats almost 1/2 the purchase price of my 96!

 

Call around to some of the radiator shops (not that there are many). I found a new old stock unit at a radiator shop multiple states away. Some times you have to really beat the bushes to find what you are looking for.

 

download the Parts Manuals from Cruisers website, and compare part numbers.

Search the OEM part numbers

 

4 out of the 6 regular ol' heater cores on RockAuto list 84-01 usage, so it must be relatively minor to make one work for both...

 

Sorry here's a link to preorder one
https://www.radiatorexpress.com/prod...229873/1180314

 

I did find one it was like 500 dollars . I settled myself with one 3 times as big ,no plastic inside made of aluminum...I'm getting other parts and have not put it in but it does feel well made.
I don't know if I can tell you the name who sells them on here .

 

Message these guys and see if they can get one. (if you still want to get one). I put a brass/copper core in my '87 and it looks/works great. Brass/copper are noble metals and more closely match iron so the pH won't 'eat' it away like it will wafer-thin aluminum heater cores. Plus the passages are larger.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/165821830373

 

What eats up the cooling system is electrolysis from weak coolant and all the different metals in the cooling system . I studied coolant and how it works and I user GMs Dexcool because of what it does . it will coat all the metals in the cooling system so the coolant never touches the metal so the electrolysis can not happen , when I changed my cylinder head I also changed the water pump and radiator and also the heater core so the hole system was clean filled it with Dexcool about 3 years ago and the system is still clean . you do need to keep a eye on the coolant if it starts to get a little cloudy then flush it and put new coolant in it . and I know people say I'm crazy for using that coolant but I never had a problem with it .