I'm hoping to get the "correct" front clip back on my '68 in the next month or so (had '73 nose when I bought it). But I keep running into things I need. Wow, it seems like absolutely nothing was common between the two...
So I got the frame extensions and crossmember in yesterday. Then went to attach the bumper mounts and core support. Nope. The radiator support won't go in with the bumper mounts. After a little looking, it appears I need a '68-'72 version of this:



From looking at a couple posts, it looks like there may need to be other things I look for that go with this? Are the shrouds interchangeable? The car is a small block auto, so does the support need to be specific to that configuration? Anybody have an early one they want to trade ?
Thanks,
Eric

 

Hi Eric,
In looking at your picture it appears that core support is for a copper radiator.
The overall width of the core support didn't vary… it was the configuration, placement, and size of the opening in the core support, and the mounting brackets for the radiator being used, that changed to fit that radiator.
The radiator specified depended on the engine and transmission on the car, and if the a/c option had been checked off.
The shroud and it's material also varied according to the radiator being used.
The core-support should have no effect on the bumper bracket installation since their location is 'outside' the width of the core-support.
The placement of the 2 frame extensions and the forward crossmember that mounts to the extensions CAN have an effect on how the bottom of the core-supprt mounts to that crossmember AND how the large center bumper bracket mounts too.
What radiator are you going to be trying to use… that will determine the proper core support and shroud typically used with that radiator.
Regards,
Alan

This is the most basic configuration…. base motor, 4-speed, no a/c….. aluminum radiator with steel shroud.
Other engine, transmission, and a/c cars had a copper radiator of various sizes and a fiberglass/plastic shroud of various configurations. 1971





Typical forward crossmember, bottom mounts for core support and mounting of center bumper bracket. 1971



Typical frame extension, cross member and outer bumper brackets. 1971

 

Alan,
Thanks for the quick reply. The problem is with the center bumper bracket. When I first put the the crossmember in, I checked that the core support would fit and it looked good. Then I went to put the big center bracket on and realized I can't put both the core support and center bracket on. I assume the correct core support is flat on the bottom and goes on under the center bumper bracket?
As far as radiator goes, I was just going to use the one that came in the car (or so I hoped...). Unfortunately, I have zero history on the car, so I'm not sure where anything came from. It was a running and driving car, so I know everything works mechanically. But if it won't fit, I guess I need to know.

EDIT: Just noticed your edit to add the pictures. First off... wow. That is one gorgeous car. Second, I think those will help a lot. It looks like I need to spend a bit of time educating myself on this. I'll get back to you once I have some useful details. Thanks!
Eric

 

Hi Eric,
If you would like to post a couple pictures of the radiator you'd like to use it's likely someone will recognize it so you'll know if the core support and shroud you have will work with it.
It's pretty essential to have the proper core support and shroud along with the various 'seals' so the cooling system will be able to do it's job.
Regards,
Alan

 

Will do. Thanks!

 

Eric
Coffman Corvette in Mansfield Ohio makes radiator supports ,nice ones,and can most likely help they also buy used parts

 

Eric, are you aware that the 68 only radiator supports are totally different and are held by the end of the frame horns. GM carried the style over from the 63-67 Corvettes.
If you are not going to judge your car, GM changed the radiator shape to the one that you show in 1969, because they did not cool adequetely in 1968. I would go with the later style 69-82 radiator support, which bolts to the first frame crossmember. Lou.

 

Eric

As you have found out, almost everything radiator related was different from 1968 to 1969. You're first going to have to determine what you have to make a decision on which way to go. You need to be able to answer these questions:

What year is your frame? The front frame horns are different between 68 and 69. As Lou stated the radiator support attached directly to the frame in 68 and in 69 to the front cross member.

What year frame extension and front cross member did you buy? Both of these are different from 68 to 69. Only the mounting hole pattern to the frame is different for the extensions. The 69 cross member will have mounting provisions for a 69 radiator support that a 68 will not have.

What year is the front clip you plan on using? The inner fenders are different on the two years. Wiring and vacuum hoses passed through a hole in the radiator support in 68 and around the support in a channel molded in the fiberglass in 69. I believe a 68 radiator support will bolt to a 69 front clip with no modification, and vice versa, but I'm not 100% sure. Hopefully someone who knows for sure will chime in.

What type (Aluminum or copper) and year is your radiator from? Your car has an auto transmission so it was originally equipped with a copper radiator with a transmission cooler built in. 68 and 69 copper radiators are different but basically mount the same. In 1969 copper radiators came in two sizes. Small blocks used a 26 1/2" core and big blocks 27 1/2" in 69. Depending on the radiator size the location of the lower mounting brackets were different on the support.

The core support you show appears to be a 69-72 style for a copper radiator.

You can use make the various year radiator parts work with each other but it won't be a simple bolt in and will require some tinkering.

John