74 Radiator Removal UUhhhh!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,414
Likes: 1
From: NC
74 Radiator Removal UUhhhh!
What’s the trick to getting the radiator out of a 74? I have the top brackets removed, better yet, EVERYTHING is loose and unbolted, including the core support. How do you get the shroud over the a-arms?
Bill
Bill
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,686
Likes: 202
From: Waterford Mi
Pull the support toward the front of the car as far as you can and then pull the fan shroud up, left side first. It will take a little twisting but it will come, I have done mine several times. It is a Big PITA.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 332
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio TX
Pain in the Azz
Bill
I just did my 74 last month ..What a PITA. I was able to pull the rad out from between the support and the shroud, then remove the shroud. Had to break the seals loose for the insulation (air dams). Passanger side A frame was a PITA. On the install no way I could do it with out removing the hood. I listened to members to tell me not to remove hood but a CF member came by to help out...as soon as we removed the hood the rad almost installed itself. Take to hood off.... it made install sooo much easier!
I just did my 74 last month ..What a PITA. I was able to pull the rad out from between the support and the shroud, then remove the shroud. Had to break the seals loose for the insulation (air dams). Passanger side A frame was a PITA. On the install no way I could do it with out removing the hood. I listened to members to tell me not to remove hood but a CF member came by to help out...as soon as we removed the hood the rad almost installed itself. Take to hood off.... it made install sooo much easier!
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
From: Buckner Missouri
Originally Posted by SmokinBBC
Did you remove the hood?
The fan shroud is another matter all together. Like it has been said: a lot of twisting - but really no big deal. It was one case where force was called for. I think most of the problem was on the passenger side but twisting and pulling did the trick. I did take the time to remember how I twisted it to get it off and that remembering made it easier to get back on. Didn't even bend any radiator vanes.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,686
Likes: 202
From: Waterford Mi
Pulling the hood does make it a lot easier. I don't know how you can pull the rad without pulling the shroud first, the lower rad hose is almost impossible to remove/install with the shroud in place. I put the rad in and attach the lower hose and then put the shroud back in.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 2
From: Oak Ridge NC
Originally Posted by hayman
No, is that what it is going to take?
Bill
Bill
I pulled the hood. Made the job a heck of a lot easier! I pulled the rad with the support. Cleaned and painted the support. I then installed the new radiator on the support with a new seal kit. Put it back in the car and installed the shroud before I tightened it all down. ( I have A/C as well).
Removing the hood is very easy. It is a 2 man job though. I had my 16yo son help with the whole process.
I hear everyone saying it is a PITA. I didn't think it was that bad. Everything came out and went in without a problem....but then again, if I had to do it without any help, it would have probably been a real PITA.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 709
Likes: 1
From: Lakewood Colorado
SmokinBBC, redwingvette, and others are all over this. It is soooooo much easier if you take the hood off. Mark bolt to hinge locations on the hood so reinstallation and alignment is easier. Lots of penetrating oil on all radiator support bolts. I twisted one of the welded nuts off the suppport on mine. The radiator, shroud and support come out as a unit. You can install the shroud seals while its out and reinstall as an assembly. That way the seals wont relocate on you as you are sliding the radiator in and out. Not to mention damaging the radiator fins if you slide the radiator in . I also believe it is a two man job unless you are very good with and overhead lift. Fought for a day and a half trying to get shroud in before removing hood and had it out then back in - 4 hours.
Many advise cutting shroud for ease of removal and installation. I can see how that would simplify things though. I had trouble convincing myself to do that with spankin new shroud.
I have a jar that I put $0.25 in every time I swear while working on the Vette. This job netted me around $10.00. Some went in a dollar at a time as I fit several into one sentence.
Good luck.
Many advise cutting shroud for ease of removal and installation. I can see how that would simplify things though. I had trouble convincing myself to do that with spankin new shroud.
I have a jar that I put $0.25 in every time I swear while working on the Vette. This job netted me around $10.00. Some went in a dollar at a time as I fit several into one sentence.
Good luck.
Last edited by vettecrazy88; Nov 23, 2006 at 11:39 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 2
From: Oak Ridge NC
Originally Posted by vettecrazy88
Many advise cutting shroud for ease of removal and installation. I can see how that would simplify things though. I had trouble convincing myself to do that with spankin new shroud.
I have a jar that I put $0.25 in every time I swear while working on the Vette. This job netted me around $10.00. Some went in a dollar at a time as I fit several into one sentence.
Good luck.
I have a jar that I put $0.25 in every time I swear while working on the Vette. This job netted me around $10.00. Some went in a dollar at a time as I fit several into one sentence.
Good luck.
No need to cut the shroud, it will come out and go in with a little persuasion.
Like the quarter in the jar thing!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,359
Likes: 15
From: Confusion
When I did my 75, thought I would put shroud in when everything was done------WRONG!!!!! I had to loosen support and push forward as far as possible and undo the top a-arms and swivel back toward firewall to get the shroud past them. It was a ROYAL PITA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
Likes: 17
Just finished installing an alum Dewitts in the 78 yesterday...did not remove shroud/hood...but I did take bolt & bushing washer off the pass
side A-arm,which allowed 1/2" more room dropping Rad in with no interference with lower rad outlet tube...I just moved the shroud back towards engine...
Pic taken just after I dropped rad in place..
Rich
side A-arm,which allowed 1/2" more room dropping Rad in with no interference with lower rad outlet tube...I just moved the shroud back towards engine...
Pic taken just after I dropped rad in place..
Rich
