27.5" radiator core support
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 251
Likes: 3
From: Louisville Kentucky
27.5" radiator core support
I have recently installed a 27.5 inch core support and radiator in my 68. I installed a Dewitts with the dual electric fan. The front end is off my car therefore the only thing holding the core support is the bottom two bolts. I noticed that the weight of the radiator forces it forward into the frame horns on both sides of the car. I am hoping that once the front end is installed and the core support is attached to the inner fenders that this problem will correct itself. Can someone confirm this to me and let me know if there are any other brackets or supports that I may be missing.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,486
Likes: 71
From: Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
The inner fenders support the radiator when they are in but until then there is no other support than those two bolts. The key measurement is when the inner fenders are on, it should be 43" from the rear hood mount bolt to the front of the drip rail that the front clip aligns to near the firewall. I had the same issue and decided to lower the fan pack on the radiator as I didn't think it would clear the control arm bolts. I used a Summit radiator and Spal fan pack.
In the Eklers book it says to prop the radiator forward with a block of wood against the engine once you get the measurement right so when you bond the front end on it will be in the proper location.
As a quick measurement for you I put the core support at the 43" and then measured across the top of the carb on the centerline of the radiator the distance from the front edge of the drip rail to the top edge of the core support was 38-7/8" If you can put pull your core support to that distance and if the fans now clear, you will be fine.
In the Eklers book it says to prop the radiator forward with a block of wood against the engine once you get the measurement right so when you bond the front end on it will be in the proper location.
As a quick measurement for you I put the core support at the 43" and then measured across the top of the carb on the centerline of the radiator the distance from the front edge of the drip rail to the top edge of the core support was 38-7/8" If you can put pull your core support to that distance and if the fans now clear, you will be fine.
Last edited by RobRace10; May 28, 2009 at 11:55 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 251
Likes: 3
From: Louisville Kentucky
I notice the bracket in the front of your radiator. Is that for the fans, trans cooler of air conditioning. Was hoping to put a trans cooler up front any ideas on the best route for the lines. On the old core suppor I had about 4 more inches to work with. Would it be possible for you to past a pic of teh other side of the radiator down around the lower radiator bracket 's and frame horn. Driver's side would be most heplful.
Thank you!
Thank you!
The inner fenders support the radiator when they are in but until then there is no other support than those two bolts. The key measurement is when the inner fenders are on, it should be 43" from the rear hood mount bolt to the front of the drip rail that the front clip aligns to near the firewall. I had the same issue and decided to lower the fan pack on the radiator as I didn't think it would clear the control arm bolts. I used a Summit radiator and Spal fan pack.
In the Eklers book it says to prop the radiator forward with a block of wood against the engine once you get the measurement right so when you bond the front end on it will be in the proper location.
In the Eklers book it says to prop the radiator forward with a block of wood against the engine once you get the measurement right so when you bond the front end on it will be in the proper location.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,486
Likes: 71
From: Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
The Condenser and Dryer for air are mounted in front of the radiator. This is a Hot Rod Air system and on a pre 73 C-3 they have you cut holes in the inner fender to pass the lines through to the engine compartment. I'll add a picture a little later when I'm on a different PC with my images. I would assume you would have to do similar for trans cooler lines.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,593
Likes: 631
From: Brighton
The 68 frame horns and radiator core support are unique to 1968 only. The angle gussets on the lower corners of the 27.5 core support are at a totally different angle than the 22.5 unit in 68's. Adapting a 69-72 core support into a 68 can be done but a lot of fabrication is required.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 251
Likes: 3
From: Louisville Kentucky
What Fabriaction
Tom,
Can you outline the fabrication that would be required. It was my understanding that as long as I installed the v shaped bracket that bolts to the frame extensions that the core support and radiator would fit fine.
Can you outline the fabrication that would be required. It was my understanding that as long as I installed the v shaped bracket that bolts to the frame extensions that the core support and radiator would fit fine.
The 68 frame horns and radiator core support are unique to 1968 only. The angle gussets on the lower corners of the 27.5 core support are at a totally different angle than the 22.5 unit in 68's. Adapting a 69-72 core support into a 68 can be done but a lot of fabrication is required.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,593
Likes: 631
From: Brighton
It's been about 20 years since I worked on cars, but from what limited memory I have, I think you would have to actually replace the 68 frame extensions with 69-72 ones. The problem is, they don't bolt on so you'd have to drill them and weld on some nuts on the frame to allow this to happen. You could just weld the extension on but you might need to make some front end adjustments and/or front bumper bracket adjustments, and welding them in the right place would be tough.
I found this 1968 support on ebay (from pippers) and you can see the tri-angle gussets I was talking about. These gussets land on top of the 68 frame extensions for bolting in and the 69-62 doesn't have these.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,157
Likes: 0
From: Pensacola FLA
It's been about 20 years since I worked on cars, but from what limited memory I have, I think you would have to actually replace the 68 frame extensions with 69-72 ones. The problem is, they don't bolt on so you'd have to drill them and weld on some nuts on the frame to allow this to happen. You could just weld the extension on but you might need to make some front end adjustments and/or front bumper bracket adjustments, and welding them in the right place would be tough.
I found this 1968 support on ebay (from pippers) and you can see the tri-angle gussets I was talking about. These gussets land on top of the 68 frame extensions for bolting in and the 69-62 doesn't have these.
I found this 1968 support on ebay (from pippers) and you can see the tri-angle gussets I was talking about. These gussets land on top of the 68 frame extensions for bolting in and the 69-62 doesn't have these.
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Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,593
Likes: 631
From: Brighton
That's right but any solid 68 support is going to be worth some cash because nobody is reproducing them. The good part is any 68 support can be converted to another option pretty easy. In other words, you can make a bb into a sb or vice versa by changing the lower mounting brackets. The sb version has a piece of flat steel closing up the opening which looks like it was done by bubba in the garage, so you can either add this or remove it.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 251
Likes: 3
From: Louisville Kentucky
JT Piper is the first one one to tell me if I changed the bracket that is between the frame extensions the core support would fit right in. I have the 68 with core support that I just removed to install this larger radiator. I had the frame extensions from a 69 milled to fit my frame. The bolt holes are the only difference that I know about everthing else looks the same. I was used to the 68 core support holding itself up while the 69 core support is much more unstable and tends to lean with the weight of the radiator.
