Radiator Support
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,930
Likes: 15
From: Calgary Alberta
Radiator Support
Has anyone here repaired their rusted out radiator support? I don't want to spend $300 on a new one, whether or not you guys think it is worth it to buy one. I'm on a budget and need to save money wherever I can, And I think this is fixable...I just need some Ideas as to how I should go about it. Post pics.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 943
Likes: 3
From: Chicago IL
Mine was in just as bad shape and I thought I could fix it, but it was so far beyond repair. If the support sides are in good shape it looks like you could cut the bottom section out and fabricate your own section by welding it to the support sides. These rad supports were made very cheaply anyway as they were tack welded together with two pieces design heavy gauge steel. Sorry I can’t help more. That’s my two cents.
Oh, mine was so rusted out that at one point until I got a new support, I had a ratchet strap secured under it just to keep it from falling all the way out. Real dangerous.
Oh, mine was so rusted out that at one point until I got a new support, I had a ratchet strap secured under it just to keep it from falling all the way out. Real dangerous.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,098
Likes: 1
From: west babylon new york
some support
you can repair it ,if you have a little welding experence and some rough steel or tin around or scrounge around at the local scrap yards for some similar pieces to weld on, just takes time ,some people have plenty but not much cash also remember most rad supports are the same just have to change arround the brackets maybe you can pick up a used one farely cheap i got mine from an 80 for my 72 got it for free from local body shop they got a nose with it and didnt need 2just keep looking and dont rush wichever way you go
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,930
Likes: 15
From: Calgary Alberta
The entire thing is solid...other than the rusted out portion shown in the pic. My vette isn't stock anyways - it doesn't matter if repairs look different than factory. Any more opinions guys?
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,909
Likes: 6
From: Lake Arrowhead - Georgia > 72 Base Coupe & 74 BB Roadster
I know an exhaust shop in N. Georgia that could refab that one for about 75 bucks. A "chain shop" like Midas...etc. cannot do it. You just need to find a local "welding stick artist" that still knows how to think without using his computer to tell him how.
So Yes....that one could be fixed, if you find the right shop.
Good luck.....
So Yes....that one could be fixed, if you find the right shop.
Good luck.....
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: Leander TX
I did mine just for fun while I was waiting for a new one to come. The supplier canceled the order on me, saying they don't carry them anymore. Good thing.
Grind it, take some time and make some steel replacement channels and weld it! Then grind it some more. Once painted, it will look pretty enough... and you will be a bit better welder after, and a few dollars richer.
My 02.
Grind it, take some time and make some steel replacement channels and weld it! Then grind it some more. Once painted, it will look pretty enough... and you will be a bit better welder after, and a few dollars richer.
My 02.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,589
Likes: 5
From: Salisbury Maryland
That's not quite as bad as mine was, mine went 1/2 way up the side supports.
I spent the $325 and it was a bear getting it in. Took a lot of 4 letter words and about 8 hours. Glad I did it though. I took mine to 2 friends that weld and both told me it was bad enough and to just replace it. I'd say if you can weld, just fix it, unless you're a stickler for details. Wasn't too involved, just time consuming.
I spent the $325 and it was a bear getting it in. Took a lot of 4 letter words and about 8 hours. Glad I did it though. I took mine to 2 friends that weld and both told me it was bad enough and to just replace it. I'd say if you can weld, just fix it, unless you're a stickler for details. Wasn't too involved, just time consuming.
Pro
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 576
Likes: 0
From: Kernersville North Carolina
Has anyone here repaired their rusted out radiator support? I don't want to spend $300 on a new one, whether or not you guys think it is worth it to buy one. I'm on a budget and need to save money wherever I can, And I think this is fixable...I just need some Ideas as to how I should go about it. Post pics.
heres a linkshowing it installed:
Last edited by bwellisley; Apr 15, 2007 at 02:34 PM.
Pro
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 576
Likes: 0
From: Kernersville North Carolina
uploading more pics of it installed now... go to my corvette pics
i'm also uploading pics of a 69 radiator shroud in great shape, minus a couple of small cuts made by the previous owner. not sure how much they took off, but looks minimal. i'll post in the 4sale section also. plan to put on auction this week if no one here is interested. i did find a shop willing to pay about $75. $50 plus ship and it's yours
i'm also uploading pics of a 69 radiator shroud in great shape, minus a couple of small cuts made by the previous owner. not sure how much they took off, but looks minimal. i'll post in the 4sale section also. plan to put on auction this week if no one here is interested. i did find a shop willing to pay about $75. $50 plus ship and it's yours
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 234
Likes: 0
From: Covington, Virginia
Hey Stinger....In the lower 48 we have Vocational schools where the High school folks learn trades. Almost all voc schools have a welding program and they have kids (and instructors) that are itching for real life welding problems to fix...Our local community college also has a welding program that does that kind of stuff for a small fee. c-colleges usually have more extensive fabrication tools, vocational schools usually much cheaper on the labor end..
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