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1957 Heater Issues

Started by Cadillac Jack 82, May 01, 2016, 08:51:08 PM

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Cadillac Jack 82


So today my Cadillac decided to burst its heater core.  I was in the process of opening my storage unit to put her away when I noticed coolant leaking from the left side.  I popped the hood and coolant was pouring from the heater box!  I turned off the car and let it sit for about 5 minutes.  I then cut one of the hoses and re-route it back into the pump.  That should hold me up for right now.  I do have some questions however.

1.  Who has replacement heater cores for 57 Cadillacs?

2.  Can this be replaced without pulling the left fender?

3.  I noticed the rubber boot that connects the blower motor to the heater box is dry rotten and needs to be replaced.  Does anyone make these?

Thanks in advance
Tim

CLC Member #30850

1959 Cadillac CDV "Shelley"
1964 Cadillac SDV "Rosalie"
1966 Oldsmobile Toronado "Sienna"

Past Cars

1937 LaSalle Cpe
1940 Chevrolet Cpe
1941 Ford 11Y
1954 Buick 48D
1955 Cadillac CDV
1955 Packard Clipper
1957 Cadillac Series 62
1962 VW Bug
1962 Dodge 880
1966 Mercury Montclair
1967 Buick Wildcat Convertible
1968 Chevy Chevelle SS
1968 Plymouth Barracuda
1977 Lincoln MKV

Walter Youshock

All I can answer is that it is removable without Taki g the fender off.  It won't be fun, however.

Jack up the car and remove the left wheel.  Then remove the inner fender dust shield.  It's held on with about a dozen bolts.  It should give you enough access to the core.

It shouldn't be too hard to have it recored or repaired depending on how bad it is.

Be happy it didn't leak all over the floor like later cars do...
CLC #11959 (Life)
1957 Coupe deVille
1991 Brougham

Roger Zimmermann

As there are 2 rubber boots, I'm not sure which one is bad. Mastermind is reproducing the one on this picture. It seems that the other one is reproduced too, but don't remember by who.
1956 Sedan de Ville (sold)
1956 Eldorado Biarritz
1957 Eldorado Brougham (sold)
1972 Coupe de Ville
2011 DTS
CLCMRC benefactor #101

chris cunliffe

I found it easier to access the heater by taking the complete fender off,only about another 10 bolts .You will also need to either remove the dash top or the gauge cluster to gain access to the hose clips holding the 3 ductings to the heater box. Your leak will be either the heater matrix or the Ranco valve or the rubber elbow connecting them together. Best to repair or replace all three items at the same time to save later problems.
1957 Eldorado Seville #967

Cadillac Jack 82


Thanks but where in gods name do I find those parts?  Based on another post it appears to possibly be the elbow? 
Tim

CLC Member #30850

1959 Cadillac CDV "Shelley"
1964 Cadillac SDV "Rosalie"
1966 Oldsmobile Toronado "Sienna"

Past Cars

1937 LaSalle Cpe
1940 Chevrolet Cpe
1941 Ford 11Y
1954 Buick 48D
1955 Cadillac CDV
1955 Packard Clipper
1957 Cadillac Series 62
1962 VW Bug
1962 Dodge 880
1966 Mercury Montclair
1967 Buick Wildcat Convertible
1968 Chevy Chevelle SS
1968 Plymouth Barracuda
1977 Lincoln MKV

Carl Schreiber

Your best bet is www.cadillacpartsltd.com.  That molded heater  duct boot is about $90.  Be warned - you'll want LOTS of stuff from them.  Best, Carl

Cadillac Jack 82


Couldn't I just order a 5/8" 90 degree molded hose from Gates?
Tim

CLC Member #30850

1959 Cadillac CDV "Shelley"
1964 Cadillac SDV "Rosalie"
1966 Oldsmobile Toronado "Sienna"

Past Cars

1937 LaSalle Cpe
1940 Chevrolet Cpe
1941 Ford 11Y
1954 Buick 48D
1955 Cadillac CDV
1955 Packard Clipper
1957 Cadillac Series 62
1962 VW Bug
1962 Dodge 880
1966 Mercury Montclair
1967 Buick Wildcat Convertible
1968 Chevy Chevelle SS
1968 Plymouth Barracuda
1977 Lincoln MKV

chris cunliffe

The elbow is 3/4" or 19mm. I bought a silicone elbow off Ebay for around $7 and cut it to length. I also used worm drive clips on it instead of the factory wire clips. If you are mechanically minded the Ranco valve is easy to rebuild, the repair washer is available from NAPA, part number BK 660 1000. -- link to tutorial   http://www.pbase.com/czechman/ranco
1957 Eldorado Seville #967

C Gorgas

I just  finished putting in the Ranco valve and it was a chore. I had to remove the dash cluster to get at the 3 ducts and also disconnected the vent wires by removing the control panel at the base of the dash. I have a Ranco valve that has been rebuilt and should work just fine $195 and I would not need your core. You do not have to remove the fender; it is a little tight but you can get the heater box out. Chet G 25441 phone 918-647-9988.

Cadillac Jack 82


Thanks I might take you up on that but first I need to figure out what broke.  Could be the core or it could be the 90 degree elbow as I've seen in other posts
Tim

CLC Member #30850

1959 Cadillac CDV "Shelley"
1964 Cadillac SDV "Rosalie"
1966 Oldsmobile Toronado "Sienna"

Past Cars

1937 LaSalle Cpe
1940 Chevrolet Cpe
1941 Ford 11Y
1954 Buick 48D
1955 Cadillac CDV
1955 Packard Clipper
1957 Cadillac Series 62
1962 VW Bug
1962 Dodge 880
1966 Mercury Montclair
1967 Buick Wildcat Convertible
1968 Chevy Chevelle SS
1968 Plymouth Barracuda
1977 Lincoln MKV

Jon S

Chet and Tim -

Any pictures of work in progress you could post would be nice to have for any of us who may need to do similar work in the future.  Thanks!
Jon

1958 Cadillac Sedan De Ville
1973 Lincoln Continental Coupe
1981 Corvette
2004 Mustang GT

C Gorgas

Jon if I have to do it again I will take pictures on the work progress. Chet