edk136

I want to make sure I'm on the right path. I just replaced my radiator support and front crossmember. Now there is a gap (3/16") between the radiator support and crossmember that wasn't there before with the original parts. I was thinking of just using shims instead of trying to loosen the front frame extensions and close the gap. The front nose support brackets line-up with the crossmember and radiator support now, thus I didn't want to adjust the frame extensions and screw that up. So, do you think this is the best way to deal with this problem?

Thanks, Eric

Easy Mike

Pic? Shims were used during assembly, but a 3/16" gap sounds awfully big.

Alan 71

Hi Eric,
I too would be hesitant about loosening the frame extensions at this point.
There is a little adjustment on the bolts that go through core supports sides into the apron reinforcements.
Are those bolts allowing the support to drop as low as possible? With the bolts loose you still might need to push down pretty hard to make sure the support is as low as it can go.
Regards,
Alan
You can see the upper 2 bolts in this picture.

edk136

Thanks guys, I thought 3/16" was alot also. I will say that I didn't have the crossmember completely bolted tight (since I had to enlarge the holes that bolt to the radiator support) but when I pushed the crossmember against the frame extensions, there was a gap. Alan, I know it was a pain to get the bolts lined-up, so I'll try your suggestion and loosen the bolts and push the radiator support down as far as possible. I figured with both pieces being replacement parts, they wouldn't line-up as well as the original.

edk136

Well, after loosening some bolts, doing some adjustments, going to my Niece's birthday party and doing some more adjustments, I think I finally have it all adjusted without having to use any shims. Thanks for all of the help.

Eric

Easy Mike

Bingo.

C3Paul

Sorry to jump on this, but I also need help with the radiator support, please:

I am fitting a new radiator to my 1980 and to make it easier I have loosened the rad. support bolts and as I was fitting all parts together I have noticed few Radiator Support Shims on the garage floor.

I have looked in my AM, but I still do not know where they should go, how they fit or how many there should be.

Do I only fit them to the lower bolts?

Any help especially pictures would be great.

edk136

Paul,

My original radiator support didn't have any shims and the only way that I would know of determining if a mounting bolt had shims or not is to move or remove the raditor support and see if there is an impression of a shim. The only problem is, that will not tell you how many shims were used. Now in my case, my raditor support was so tight that I had to force it down to properly line-up with all of the mounting holes. So basically the advice I'm giving you is just a guess since I didn't have to deal with the shims.

Eric

Easy Mike

The Y shaped shims go only on the bottom as shown in the AIM diagram. There is also a washer there. You may or may not have had regular shims at the other bolt locations on the support.

C3Paul

Could you please elaborate a bit more please?

These are the only two shims I found on the floor: http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1953-1982.html

I am looking at the radiator support and I do not know what I am supposed to be looking at or where I need or do not need shimming.

If I was starting from scratch fitting this support, what am I suppose to do to make it fit?

edk136

What bolts did you take out/loosen from your support? There are three bolts on each side and two bolts that go through the front crossmember and into the bottom of the radiator support. The bolts Mike is talking about are the two bolts that go through the front crossmember. The shims go between the crossmember and radiator support.

C3Paul

I loosened the 6 bolts (3 each site) holding the radiator support.

Looking at the AM it appears that the shims are used only at the bottom bolts between the front extension/crossmember and inner reinforcement and not between the reinforcement and radiator support!?

Look at this image:

0Willcox Corvette

The only bolts that used shims were the ones that passed through the bumper extension braces. That's it.. and it was "Shim as Required"

So, if you look in there and you see you need a shim.. stick one in... and tighten.

Willcox Inc.