'64 Radiator core support
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7
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'64 Radiator core support
I just got my '64 convertible painted and realized toward the end of the project that my radiator core support is rusted pretty badly at the bottom. Is it difficult to replace the core support. It seems at first glance to bolt in and out pretty easily. But I'm concerned about the effect on my new paint if taking it out makes the body droop, etc.
If anyone knows the proper way to do this, please let me know.
Thanks,
Steve Fish
678-481-1087
If anyone knows the proper way to do this, please let me know.
Thanks,
Steve Fish
678-481-1087
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,214
Likes: 447
From: NJ Hockey beer league
Steve, with the hood off, it IS a bolt in job with a couple of things to watch out for. First, make carefull note of the amount and location of any side and bottom shims so they can be replaced later. Second, depending on what type of replacement support you can find (used original vs. reproduction) will determine how well everything will fit back together. The repro I dealt with in my C-1 (made in China of course)had to be cut at the welds and rewelded to achieve the correct alignment of the original holes. Hopefully, you won't have that problem. Nose droop won't be an issue as the fiberglass will have memory and not much weight on it with the hood off and will go right back once the shims are replaced. Getting the support to fit will be the biggest problem. Do yourself a favor and measure the replacement against your original in several places BEFORE you install it. You might want to consider buying the lower repair section and fixing yours so the fit will be good. 
Pilot Dan
Pilot Dan
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 884
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From: Blacksburg Virginia
I have a 64 and am just finishing up my body off restoration. I replaced my rad support and it was a huge mistake. The aftermarket supports are junk. The one I put back in was not even square and ended up almost a 1/4 of an inch off measuring from the firewall. I had to shim and do all kinds of tricks trying to square up the support for the shroud and rad. The welded nuts will strip out very easily. My advice would be to repair what you have you will be much better satisfied.
Platinum Supporting Dealership
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: St. Marys Ohio
Small block and big block supports are different, not sure how they differ in actual size, but they are different.
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Tom Hendricks tom@budschevy.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Buds-Chevrolet-Buick-Corvette/176730955684255?ref=hl
Corvette Specialist Since 1993
BUDS CHEVROLET
St. Marys, Ohio
800-688-2837
WEBSITE WWW.BUDSCHEVY.COM
HOURS MON-WED 7:00AM - 5:00PM
FFRIDAY AND SATURDAY BY APPT.
OFF THURSDAYS
NCRS # 23758 Miami Valley Chapter ( Ohio )
NCM Founding Member #1143
NADA Classic Car Guide Advisiory Board Member
C5/C6 Registry Corporate Member # 5
My Corvettes. 63, 71, 73, 78.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
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Platinum Supporting Dealership
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: St. Marys Ohio
Like I said, there are different applications based on year, engine, trans and optional equipment, such as AC.
I don't know if the dimensions are the same or not. Hopefully someone will chime in and help on this one !
I don't know if the dimensions are the same or not. Hopefully someone will chime in and help on this one !
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
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From: Washington Michigan
Both are exactly the same width, but they differ in how the radiators are mounted; the SB aluminum radiator mounts with pins into two circular rubber cushions in brackets welded to the bottom of the support and a single central mount at the top, and the BB copper/brass radiators mount with two welded saddle mounts at the bottom and two bolt-on saddle mounts at the top. Non-A/C rad supports have a pair of welded "X" rods across the front of the radiator opening, and A/C cars don't.
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Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
All,
I just spoke to a guy at American Corvette, a shop in Powder Springs, GA that is listed as a trusted shop in Corvette Fever Mag. He says that he's done plenty of these swaps and that body bending/deflection should not be a problem as long as the bumpers are still on/installed, because they will support the body from the sides where the bumper is mounted to the fenders.
So I guess the process is, roughly:
* Get a good support
* Remove hood
* Remove everything connected to core support (fan shroud, etc)
* Remove core support being careful to note position of shims
* Make sure replacement support is a damn good match for what you removed. If not, then consider repairing the bottom section of the original support.
* Slap it back in and spin tires.
I hear from my supplier that there's only one company in the US that makes the mid-year supports (and sells through various companies) and they're out. So, good luck getting the right part.
Thanks all for your help.
I just spoke to a guy at American Corvette, a shop in Powder Springs, GA that is listed as a trusted shop in Corvette Fever Mag. He says that he's done plenty of these swaps and that body bending/deflection should not be a problem as long as the bumpers are still on/installed, because they will support the body from the sides where the bumper is mounted to the fenders.
So I guess the process is, roughly:
* Get a good support
* Remove hood
* Remove everything connected to core support (fan shroud, etc)
* Remove core support being careful to note position of shims
* Make sure replacement support is a damn good match for what you removed. If not, then consider repairing the bottom section of the original support.
* Slap it back in and spin tires.
I hear from my supplier that there's only one company in the US that makes the mid-year supports (and sells through various companies) and they're out. So, good luck getting the right part.
Thanks all for your help.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,926
From: Washington Michigan
