heater core quality / recommedations

Are aftermarket parts store heater cores typically lower quality than an OEM ford heater core? Is it more prone to leaking than the OEM? Basically, is it worth the extra $$$ for the ford part, rather than the cheapo aftermarket? I don't mind spending the extra money if it will not leak, and I won't have to pull the dash all apart for a second time.

Rick

Has anyone had to replace their heater core? My local dealer parts counter guy said that he doesn't seem to remember selling many heater cores for our cars, and perhaps they are of a high quality.

If you did replace yours, which did you get (aftermarket or OEM), and how's it held up? I suspect that any replacement cores are not that old, and probably are all still fine and not a good representation of overall quality and resistance to leaking. But if there are some aftermarket ones that have gone bad after only a few years or something, that may be a warning sign.

I seem to remember talk on here about cheapo cores not being worth it, but it wasn't clear if they meant a $20 cheapo aftermarket being bad, while a $40 aftermarket being good, or aftermarket vs. OEM.

Rick