Use a/c core as heater core

[Scoobienorth]

My wheeling rig produces little heat through the heater and I’m suspecting the heater core but it’s a nightmare of a job. Since my a/c is not connected anymore can I just cut the lines off the condensor and swap the heater hoses to it after flushing it out since The two cores are side by side in the dash? I really don’t want to spend a 2 days tearing my interior apart to find out I still don’t have heat.

[Scott Cee AKA 2drx4]

Why not just try it? Doesn't seem like you have anything to lose. I don't think it will be as efficient but who knows.

[Scoobienorth]

Why not just try it? Doesn't seem like you have anything to lose. I don't think it will be as efficient but who knows.

That’s kinda my thought. Right now I think I’ve diagnosed most of my heat comes from my engine. When I’m wheeling all the hot air comes up and out my hood and gets sucked in the heater vents and that’s why it gets warm inside so any improvement would be nice

[Scott Cee AKA 2drx4]

Is there a valve to stop coolant flow to the heater core?

And do those things have the notorious Dodge blend door that sticks and then breaks?

[Scoobienorth]

I’ve got coolant flow and the blend doors are famous for breaking. I’ve cut inspection holes to verify mine are fine. I’ve got hot coolant going in and out of the core but doesn’t seem to be heating up. Both wj’s are doing it with the red one being worse. I’ve been over everything I can get to.

[Mr.gutsy]

Hot coolant in and out? Thats an airflow problem if thats the case. You are sure its not packed with a mouse nest or has plugged cabin air filters?

[Scoobienorth]

Hot coolant in and out? Thats an airflow problem if thats the case. You are sure its not packed with a mouse nest or has plugged cabin air filters?

I’ve got air in and out. The blower side of the cores it’s clean and the other side of the two cores by the blend doors is also clean. It pushes air out the vents well. Enough volume. The coolant temp warmed up to 60 degrees in and out quickly but the cores never got above 6 degrees in the time I was messing with it

[Mr.gutsy]

Ahh ok, theres no reason you cant turn the a/c evaporator into a heater core IF you dont have to run through the expansion valve it will make a huge restriction. Also it just sounds like theres some crud in that core its a bit cold now but you could always hook up the old garden hose to it and flush her out.

[Scoobienorth]

Ahh ok, theres no reason you cant turn the a/c evaporator into a heater core IF you dont have to run through the expansion valve it will make a huge restriction. Also it just sounds like theres some crud in that core its a bit cold now but you could always hook up the old garden hose to it and flush her out.

I kinda thought there might be a restriction somewhere. I’ll look to see where mine might be at and If I can take it out. I’ve tried flushing it out when I had my head off a while back.