Here are a few questions for those that have swapped out a radiator and core support in a C3 with an L-48, automatic and air conditioning. My car is a 1975 convertible (NCRS Second Flight working to Top Flight condition).

I’ve have done a lot of researching checking the AIM, Service Manual and the Forum archives and believe I have a grasp on the process it takes to get everything out and then reinstalled. However I have come to a point where I need some clarification and a little more detail than what I have found posted in the past.

I have removed the hood, the fan/clutch assembly, shroud extension and have loosened the shroud by removing the top two brackets and removing the nuts and shroud from the two studs at the bottom corners of the core support. (I believe model years from 1973 to 1976E have this type of design.) I also have the radiator drained, the radiator hoses off and have removed the transmission cooling lines from the radiator. It is my understanding that my next step is to maneuver the core support/radiator/AC condenser to a more vertical position to gain the necessary room to slip the shroud out. I might add that that I can only wiggle the shroud an inch or so in any direction. There is not enough room to get it to hang it on the water pump pulleys as some forum members have suggested. It appears what is hanging it up is at the bottom right corner at the radiator outlet tube.

Now if I haven’t bored you yet and you haven’t clicked to the next post, I have come to the point where I need your collective wisdom and input.

As most know, the AC condenser is mounted to the front of the core support. Currently there is no more than one inch of clearance between the front face of the condenser and the back of the headlight actuators.

Question No. 1: If I remove the six side bolts and loosen the two bottom bolts of the core support, is moving the core support assembly forward an inch or so enough room to remove the shroud? If the answer to Question No. 1 is “No” or “Probably not”; then will the actuators have to be removed or is there another method that others have found successful?

Question No. 2: Since my AC system is still charged; will moving the condenser affect the one rigid stainless steel line or is there enough “flex” in the line to not be concerned with this other than to take it slow and be cautious?

Question No. 3: Is there a simply way to get to the two lower bolts that attaches the AC condenser mounting straps to the radiator core support? On my ’75, those bolts are right behind the round horizontal vacuum canister that mounts between the frame rail extensions. I’d appreciate any suggestions here if you have run into this situation.

Question No. 4: How have others suspended the AC condenser temporarily while the core support is removed prior to the installation of the new support? Are there any special considerations or is it straight forward as it seems?

I think once I get past these small hurdles, I should be able to follow along with what others have done in the past to complete the project.

John

 

Anybody?

 

It has been almost 5 years since I installed the new core support in my 73 but I may be able to help a little.

I may be remembering wrong, but I think the A/C lines actually pass through holes in the core support which means you must discharge the A/C system and disconnect the condenser in order to pull the core support out.

As far as the fan shroud is concerned I ended up disconnecting the upper control arms and swung them back out of the way in order to get it out without damaging anything. Just make sure you mark all of your shims so you can get them back in their proper locations.

 

I don't know if its the same for different years so here's a story jsut in case. I'm tearing apart a 78 at the moment and those a/c lines go between the core support and the wheel well. There is a little molded area for them to fit it. Once I had the core support loose and the radiator out I yanked the shroud up and twisted then it came out. There are rubber lines in this car that let everything flex enough and it was already discharged. The bottom of the condensor slipped over the studs on the support so when I pulled it came out too.

 

Removing the hood is not necessary, so that should answer your question concerning the actuators.
Leave the lowest side bolt at each inner fender installed but loose.

The line should be aluminum and will bend easily but I'm not recommending that. There is a rubber section between it and the condenser anyway. Removing the condenser first makes the operation a lot easier. The hoses after aging become very stiff, so it’s difficult to shift the condenser very much.

The lower bolts only have to be loosened, the bracket is has “u” shape hole.
It’s worth removing the lower valance panel, but that may create a whole new set of problems, if the bolts are rusty.

You can wire it up with a protected stick across the front, but seriously consider removing it.
When you are able to tilt back the core support, the shroud will wiggle out of the way toward the engine, then the radiator can be maneuvered out, and then you’re all clear for anything. The a/c lines do not go thru the core support.

There is a lot of potential for causing cosmetic damage, so the more you have removed the better. Especially for a car that is to be judged. I would suggest discharging the a/c and giving yourself a lot more room for the core support to swing forward further.
BTW, mine is the identical car and I did it all by myself, but extra hands would be very helpful.

 

Thanks for the information guys.

I'm avoiding removing the A-arms if at all possible although I know others have had success doing it that way.

Noonie, thanks for detailed write-up, especially on the two core support bolts to leave in. I was thinking it was the bottom two but if you say the lower sides are the two that should remain in but loose, then I'll follow your suggestion.

And as you had suggested, I too thought about removing the valance which should provide me the space to get to those two lower bolts on the condenser.

I'll contemplate discharging the AC system and removing the condenser if I find that I need to but I think I'll try to work around it right now. I'll let you know how that goes.

John