1976 radiator support
 

I just found out that my radiator core (support?) has huge rust holes in it. On the lower right hand side i applied a small amount of pressure, and i went right through it :willy: . The car is off the road, but now i am in a quandry, Which support do i get, the 76 early, or the 76 late, i wish that they had some pictures that show the differences.


For clarification im talking about this piece, but only want to buy it once at the price it is.

either
http://www.zip-products.com/Zip/prod...C59FFAAF8522C2

or
http://www.zip-products.com/Zip/prod...C59FFAAF8522C2

Look at your VIN and see how high your number is, or look on the edge of your door and see when the mfg date was.

If you have access to a mig welder you prob. can cut out the bad stuff and patch in the cut out pieces and you are off and running,after you paint or powder coat. Take a pointed body hammer and find all the soft spots and replace them. Ever so often put it back on the car to see if your fit is still good. A much cheaper way if its still repairable!! Good luck!!!!!!!!

Mine is rotted as well, and I'm going to yank mine and weld it over the winter. It really doesn't look to be to terrible of a job. Mine is rotted out right on one of the bends, so I'll use thin angle iron to repair it. It won't be concourse perfect, but my car is a driver so I don't need perfect, just functional and safe...

Mwieczorek

I'm not proud of this but I discovered the same thing whenever I first pulled the small block to make way for the big block. My solution is kind of bubba-esk but it sure beats spending $470 on something that won't make you go faster. I basically punched out all the rotted areas sanded them down and cleaned them up, I then bondo'ed in the rotted areas, sanded and painted black. The end result was a core support that looked brand new. Depending on how advanced the stages of rot are this may work for you. Just throwing the idea out there, your pocket book may thank you.

Early 76 has a long (A6) a/c compressor. Late 76 has the short (R4) compressor.

Early 76 has rear veiw mirror mounted to windsheild frame and late 76 has it glued to windsheild.

ok looking thorugh what you have told me i found out through my vin that it is a late car, (built in july of 76 and i guess was originally brown!!?). My support is gone, the bottom part is about to crumble, and by pressing with my thumb, i punched right through in several areas. so replacement is neccessary.

From the small amount of info ive seen this should work, but since i cant do a return on ebay, i want it right the first time. thoughts? opinions?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1979-...61930725QQrdZ1

Measure the radiator core itself-if it's 27.5" wide you have an early 76. If it's 26.2" wide, its a late one. Just measure the core itself not the overall radiator. Also email Tom at www.dewitts.com and he'll have a core support for $295.

I replaced mine on my '76 a few years ago and it was still available from the General at that time. I got a little discount and it came in under $300.

Same here did mine a few years ago have an early 76.... vin 29000 ....if you need new control arm bushings nows the time.. much easier without all the rad stuff in the way

Looks like you already have it figured out. I was going to suggest looking at the radiator itself. The two models are different.

76 late core supports have a plate that runs across the bottom and the radiator sits on it. You can't see the bottom of the rad. 76 early uses only the two legs at the bottom to support the radiator.
Mike

As of 6 - 8 months ago you could still get on from chevy, check with a dealer. Was better quality (surprize) that some others I saw.

Frank

yup just got an email from tom dewitt, he no longer sells radiator cores, but showed that that gm still does sell them and gave me the part number, so now off to the chevy dealer to order one! Thanks Tom!

Not to highjack thread, but if you plan on getting a new core support from Dewitts, You better talk to Tom FIRST and MAKE SURE the core support you need is IN STOCK!! I ordered aluminum Rad and coresponding/matching core support MONTHS AGO!! Radiator was shipped right away, but to this day STILL no word on when core support is going to show up. The radiator does not fit my old core support, so if I cant get the new one from Dewitts, I'm screwed out of $500.( the price of the new radiator that I CAN'T use) The part # for the core support I ordered is A435. I've called Dewitts 3 times allready. I will call again on Fri. I hope I can get this straightened out.

One of the reasons we stopped selling the core supports (and fan shrouds) was because we didn't make them and we could not control the inventory. Our suppliers would often run out of stock, back order the item, renig on delivery dates, and then send us damaged parts. We barely made any money on them as we just sold them to support our radiators customers. Instead of it being an "Added Valve" it turned into egg on our face when the supplier didn't come through. (See above)

C3 core supports are made under GM license by Keen Corvette Parts. If you want to cancel the core support and go directly to the supplier that would be great. Coffman also makes these as aftermarket replacements. Keen will eventually come through with the supports, so I wouldn't worry about getting to use the radiator. The only unknown is when.

Well it's your lucky day. I just checked the records and your support shipped out today. It might be in Ma by Friday or monday at the lastest. :thumbs:

TOM DeWITT, Thanks for the reply. I called today when I got home, and was told the core support was being shipped. I'm VERY HAPPY to say the least. Your a "stand up guy" for explaining yourself/situation and I respect that alot. You have a great product AND I can see that you care about your customers. Thank you.

Why do the supporst cost so darn much?

Bill