71 radiator removel
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,712
Likes: 902
From: Warminster PA
71 radiator removel
Ok, what is the trick to getting the radiator out of my 71? I have removed the fan, unbolted the shroud. I can't remove the shroud because the upper control arms are in the way.
I took the bolts out of the radiator mounting and removed the hoses. I have gently worked the insulation loose from the rad support. I see no way to "slide" the radiator up and out without removing the rad support. Is this true? The rad support needs to come out also.
I see no problem removing it, just wanted to ask the guru's before I proceeded.
Thanks ,
Tom
I took the bolts out of the radiator mounting and removed the hoses. I have gently worked the insulation loose from the rad support. I see no way to "slide" the radiator up and out without removing the rad support. Is this true? The rad support needs to come out also.
I see no problem removing it, just wanted to ask the guru's before I proceeded.
Thanks ,
Tom
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,562
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
Not a guru, but I have a 71 that I have R & R'd the radiator. Remove all of the shroud bolts and slide the shroud back as far as you can. Mine is an SBC auto, and the lower lip of the shroud is not that deep so half to three quarters of an inch movement back towards the a-arms should allow you to tip the shroud back enough to pull the radiator, if not perhaps enough room to pull the shroud straight up. An extra set of hands may help - one person on each side of the car. Good luck.
Orville
Orville
Pro
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 741
Likes: 46
From: Hebron IN
Just asked the same question last week about my '75.
I've come to the conclusion that the idiots who designed cars in the 70's were probably born in the 1930's and 40's when lead was plentiful in gas fumes and in the paint chips they ate. Doesn't matter what make or model, if it's from the decade of the 70's the mechanical design looks like it was done by a bunch of retarded primates.
I ended up ripping mine out in a fit of rage after a 5+ hour battle. I guess the proper way is to remove the hood and then unbolt the entire core support and pull it back.
I wasn't about to go through all that putting it back in. I took my Sawzall and cut the shroud in two right down the center. Made things so much easier...if anyone at GM had a shred of common sense back then it would have been designed as a two piece shroud right from the beginning.
Being a '71 I doubt you'll want to modify the shroud, so get a friend over and do it the hard way. If there's a BB in there you have my pity.
I've come to the conclusion that the idiots who designed cars in the 70's were probably born in the 1930's and 40's when lead was plentiful in gas fumes and in the paint chips they ate. Doesn't matter what make or model, if it's from the decade of the 70's the mechanical design looks like it was done by a bunch of retarded primates.
I ended up ripping mine out in a fit of rage after a 5+ hour battle. I guess the proper way is to remove the hood and then unbolt the entire core support and pull it back.
I wasn't about to go through all that putting it back in. I took my Sawzall and cut the shroud in two right down the center. Made things so much easier...if anyone at GM had a shred of common sense back then it would have been designed as a two piece shroud right from the beginning.
Being a '71 I doubt you'll want to modify the shroud, so get a friend over and do it the hard way. If there's a BB in there you have my pity.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,775
Likes: 4
im probably going to be pulling my radiator and support out this winter in my 69. the support is rusted right through, only a matter of time before some major damage happens.
anything i should know before attempting to remove it?
anything i should know before attempting to remove it?
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 3
From: East Waterboro Maine
I just took the radiator out of my 71 this afternoon. I removed the hood, fan and shroud. Then disconnected all hoses, unbolted the 4 bolts at the top of the radiator (2 each side) and then the radiator 'should' slide up and out. Mine stuck a little bit in the bottom brackets, but a little gentle prying with a screwdriver broke it loose.
Of course I'm in the middle of a body-off, so a lot of dissasembly isn't a big deal for me. There may be an easier way...
Attached is a picture of where the radiator used to be. Maybe it'll give you an idea of how it sits in the bottom brackets.
Of course I'm in the middle of a body-off, so a lot of dissasembly isn't a big deal for me. There may be an easier way...
Attached is a picture of where the radiator used to be. Maybe it'll give you an idea of how it sits in the bottom brackets.
Last edited by Maine Vette; Sep 24, 2005 at 09:15 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,712
Likes: 902
From: Warminster PA
Finally got the radiator out. After fighting with it for several hours last night, I decided that before I break something I better pack it in for the night. This morning I took off the right upper control arm (had it off last week for upper bushings) and radiator slide out easily.
Turns out that the left tank is leaking along the joint where it solders to the core. Hopefully it can be fixed. I'm goning to cantact the local Corvette shop and see who they recommend for radiator repair.
Looks like someone had tried to plug it before with an additive to the coolant. I found a lot of gummy residue inside the hoses and radiator inlets and outlets.
I flushed the block while I was at it by removing the block plugs and running clean water thru it until it ran clear from each drain plug.
Took out the rad support in the process and it is rotted as I expected. I don't think it is worth repairing. It has pretty big holes in each vertical section and many holes along the bottom. Probably not much longer until it becomes one big hole.
Any ideas on who sells one that is like the original?
Thanks, Tom
Turns out that the left tank is leaking along the joint where it solders to the core. Hopefully it can be fixed. I'm goning to cantact the local Corvette shop and see who they recommend for radiator repair.
Looks like someone had tried to plug it before with an additive to the coolant. I found a lot of gummy residue inside the hoses and radiator inlets and outlets.
I flushed the block while I was at it by removing the block plugs and running clean water thru it until it ran clear from each drain plug.
Took out the rad support in the process and it is rotted as I expected. I don't think it is worth repairing. It has pretty big holes in each vertical section and many holes along the bottom. Probably not much longer until it becomes one big hole.
Any ideas on who sells one that is like the original?
Thanks, Tom
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,095
Likes: 299
From: Midlothian VA
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When you get around to the reinstall take a look at the post above and try rebuilding the radiator, shroud, support, etc on your work bench and installing them as an assembly. MUCH easier than leaning over the fender trying to get everything to line up. The assembly doesn't weigh as much as you'ld think.
When you get around to the reinstall take a look at the post above and try rebuilding the radiator, shroud, support, etc on your work bench and installing them as an assembly. MUCH easier than leaning over the fender trying to get everything to line up. The assembly doesn't weigh as much as you'ld think.