Hmmm... trim the fins on a heater core?

bdunosk · 05-22-2002, 05:44 PM

I can't tell, from pictures, but it seems that the fins on a heater core are just that -- fins. Am I right in assuming they only increase the surface area to dissipate heat, and don't carry any water within them? I'm referring specifically to the Chevette heater core, which can be had for $17 at Autozone.

I started thinking about this because it's just slightly too large for my case; finding a smaller, low-priced heater core hasn't produced any results. I'm wondering if it would be possible to just trim the fins on the heatercore to reduce it's foot print... ? Anyone else have any thoughts on this?

sminker · 05-22-2002, 07:20 PM

The Chevette Heater Core is $26 at the AutoZones in Kansas City

WebMasta33 · 05-22-2002, 07:50 PM

The fins that you're talking about are only like 1/4" on each side, but you risk cutting up the flow channels. And you'd loose alot of your cooling capacity.

I wouldn't reccomend it. I have a chevette core, so I'm looking at it and saying no

Brad · 05-24-2002, 01:51 AM

why not just cut into the case, and make it fit?

bdunosk · 05-24-2002, 06:45 AM

Well, it's sort of a plan A, plan B thing. I originally wanted to lay the heatercore flat along the bottom of the case and put a hole under it (my case has "feet" that get it off the ground). The width of my case is just barely 6", and the motherboard gets in the way on one side. But by mounting it this way, I wouldn't have to remove any hard drive cages.

Plan B is removing the hard drive cage and putting the heatercore in the front of the case. Looks much easier from what you guys are saying.

MeltMan · 05-24-2002, 08:52 AM

Yeah, then find a way to put the hard drives behind the rad so they get the benefit of airflow over them.

I used a heatercore from a 1987 escort w/ac (i think) and it measures 6 x 7.25 x 2

Just barely fits under the drive cages

bdunosk · 05-24-2002, 10:34 AM

Antec sx1000?

05-22-2002, 05:44 PM	#1
bdunosk Cooling Neophyte Join Date: May 2001 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 93	Hmmm... trim the fins on a heater core? I can't tell, from pictures, but it seems that the fins on a heater core are just that -- fins. Am I right in assuming they only increase the surface area to dissipate heat, and don't carry any water within them? I'm referring specifically to the Chevette heater core, which can be had for $17 at Autozone. I started thinking about this because it's just slightly too large for my case; finding a smaller, low-priced heater core hasn't produced any results. I'm wondering if it would be possible to just trim the fins on the heatercore to reduce it's foot print... ? Anyone else have any thoughts on this?

05-22-2002, 07:50 PM	#3
WebMasta33 Cooling Savant Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Nebraska Posts: 526	The fins that you're talking about are only like 1/4" on each side, but you risk cutting up the flow channels. And you'd loose alot of your cooling capacity. I wouldn't reccomend it. I have a chevette core, so I'm looking at it and saying no __________________ ========== --Soyo KT333 DRAGON Ultra (Platinum Edition) --AMD 1.4 @ 1.54 (11x) --768mb of PC2100 (@140FSB) --Asus v8200 GeForce3 @ 210/490 --Maxtor 40gb Quiet + 2 IBM 40gb 60GXPs (removable) + 8gb WD --Audigy --Maze 3, DD Gf3 block, 2x BIX, Eheim1250 ===========

05-24-2002, 01:51 AM	#4
Brad Thermophile Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Nuu Zeeelin Posts: 3,175	why not just cut into the case, and make it fit? __________________ 2x P3 1100's at 1400, Abit VP6, 2x Corsair 256mb PC150 sticks, 20gb 'cuda ATA-III, 2x 40gb 'cuda ATA-IV in raid 0. 20" Trinitron. No fans 2x 2400+ at 2288mhz (16.0 x 143), Iwill MPX2, 2x Kingmax PC-3200 256mb sticks, 4x 20gb 60gxp in Raid 5 on a Promise SX6000. Asus Ti4200 320/630. Cooled by Water

05-24-2002, 08:52 AM	#6
MeltMan Cooling Savant Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: KS Posts: 374	Yeah, then find a way to put the hard drives behind the rad so they get the benefit of airflow over them. I used a heatercore from a 1987 escort w/ac (i think) and it measures 6 x 7.25 x 2 Just barely fits under the drive cages __________________ MeltMan Lurker Supreme!

05-22-2002, 07:20 PM	#2
sminker Cooling Neophyte Join Date: May 2002 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4	The Chevette Heater Core is $26 at the AutoZones in Kansas City

05-24-2002, 06:45 AM	#5
bdunosk Cooling Neophyte Join Date: May 2001 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 93	Well, it's sort of a plan A, plan B thing. I originally wanted to lay the heatercore flat along the bottom of the case and put a hole under it (my case has "feet" that get it off the ground). The width of my case is just barely 6", and the motherboard gets in the way on one side. But by mounting it this way, I wouldn't have to remove any hard drive cages. Plan B is removing the hard drive cage and putting the heatercore in the front of the case. Looks much easier from what you guys are saying.

05-24-2002, 10:34 AM	#7
bdunosk Cooling Neophyte Join Date: May 2001 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 93	Antec sx1000?

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