'59 Plymouth Forum

Although I no longer own a 59 P, my daily driver is a Mopar. Its a 2000 Dakota Quadcab.
Two or three years ago, the heater core failed. I took it to a shop and had it replaced, for ~$1000...I forget the exact number.
The job requires a complete dashboard removal, A/C disconnect...blah blah. Things weren't done right so I took it back.
Well, they "fixed" it again. It still didnt seem right, but I needed the truck for work, so I tolerated it (seemed the heat would not come on for awhile, then when it did I couldn't turn it off). In the meantime the shop went over to new ownership.
Well, the other day the core failed again. alocal repair shop told me that there is an Internet? alert stating that aftermarket heater cores are not up to quality standards. I spoke to Napa Auto Parts, and they say their parts come with an iron-clad guarantee...if their core fails, I can collect for time lost for missing work, etc.
Napa sells cores for ~$65. The Dodge dealer sells cores for $190.
Would anyone care to advise me on this?
Meanwhile, what brings on my sentimentality for the '59s is-in order to keep driving my truck, I had to short-circuit the heater loop, as so often I've seen on many salvage yard '59s.....

Roger, I do feel for you, I think it is time to test the so called warranty claims of the aftermarket. I feel that they just do not get challenged enough, being the poor customer just gives up in frustration. They have insurance to cover these situations. Unfortunate the shop that did the poor quality work does not get penalized. Being in the trade I hate people being paid for not doing a good job. P.S. Being I have worked on both... I would rather change a heater core in a 59 than the Dakota any day.

Thanks for the empathy. In addition, the a/c quit, and a new compressor and Freon charge from dealer would cost 2,000, so it's just like the old family '59...hot in the day and cold at night