Radiator removal
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,412
Likes: 75
St. Jude Donor '14
Radiator removal
I have been on youtube looking for a decent video for radiator removal. I have a 1975 l48, no air, automatic.
The videos I find are absolutely horrible. To the point that I would be embarrassed to post this stuff. I really want to see the hood coming off and the shroud coming out, but 3 videos in a row just skip right over those parts.
Does anyone have a decent video they can recommend? Or any tips and tricks?
I wish I had a real video camera so I could make something watchable for others.
The videos I find are absolutely horrible. To the point that I would be embarrassed to post this stuff. I really want to see the hood coming off and the shroud coming out, but 3 videos in a row just skip right over those parts.
Does anyone have a decent video they can recommend? Or any tips and tricks?
I wish I had a real video camera so I could make something watchable for others.
Last edited by 7t5; Aug 1, 2021 at 02:09 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 65
Likes: 12
From: White Lake, Mich
On my 70 the hood does not have to be removed. You have to remove the fan, upper and lower rad hoses and the shroud. 70 has a plastic fan shroud that is secured with 2 studs on the bottom and a bracket on the top. Getting the should out can be difficult. If I recall the trick is to remove the upper rad brackets (2). and move the top of the radiator forward as far as possible and pull the shroud on the driver side and get it to clear the upper control arm. Once the left side is clear the right side can be removed. If i recall the lower rad hose is removed after the shroud is out of the car.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 148
Likes: 107
From: New Mexico
2024 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I was in the same spot about a year ago. The hood is easy with 2 people but doable by yourself. Just use a lot of blankets. The shroud is the hardest part of the job. Most guys say you have to cut the shroud to get it out, or pull the upper control arms. Not doing either of these steps. I used my engine hoist to lift a little in the center of the shroud....with pressure on I used a big rubber mallot to pound it up a little on both sides. Put a little more pressure lifting and pounded it up a little more. The hard part was getting it past the control arms but surprisingly the shroud lifted past them and out it came. I thought the shroud was gonna break but I took it slow and it came right out. I pounded it back in the same way.
To get the radiator out you just lift the driver side up a little so it's at an angle and it will lift right out. Be careful of the drain petcock. I went to drain it and all I wanted to do is crack it open and the situate my tub. Well the whole thing tore out of the radiator and I wore a lot of coolant in a hurry.
To get the radiator out you just lift the driver side up a little so it's at an angle and it will lift right out. Be careful of the drain petcock. I went to drain it and all I wanted to do is crack it open and the situate my tub. Well the whole thing tore out of the radiator and I wore a lot of coolant in a hurry.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,086
Likes: 786
From: Lebanon Township New Jersey
This is how I've done it on my 77.
Remove the hood. (2 man job) Mark the hinge locations on the hood first.
Disconnect hoses and trans cooler lines.
Unbolt radiator support by removing bolts in both front wheel wells
Remove radiator restraints at top of radiator
Remove engine fan
Tilt rad support, rad and shroud forward (toward front of car)
Lift out radiator and shroud at the same time.
No shroud cutting or pounding required.
Remove the hood. (2 man job) Mark the hinge locations on the hood first.
Disconnect hoses and trans cooler lines.
Unbolt radiator support by removing bolts in both front wheel wells
Remove radiator restraints at top of radiator
Remove engine fan
Tilt rad support, rad and shroud forward (toward front of car)
Lift out radiator and shroud at the same time.
No shroud cutting or pounding required.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 7,658
Likes: 2,470
From: Indiana
I have been on youtube looking for a decent video for radiator removal. I have a 1975 l48, no air, automatic.
The videos I find are absolutely horrible. To the point that I would be embarrassed to post this stuff. I really want to see the hood coming off and the shroud coming out, but 3 videos in a row just skip right over those parts.
Does anyone have a decent video they can recommend? Or any tips and tricks?
I wish I had a real video camera so I could make something watchable for others.
The videos I find are absolutely horrible. To the point that I would be embarrassed to post this stuff. I really want to see the hood coming off and the shroud coming out, but 3 videos in a row just skip right over those parts.
Does anyone have a decent video they can recommend? Or any tips and tricks?
I wish I had a real video camera so I could make something watchable for others.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...nt-79-l82.html
Last edited by interpon; Aug 1, 2021 at 06:39 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 113
From: Michigan
Lots of peeps use phones even Cleetus sometimes, I don't have a smartphone or I'd prob give it a shot. I've been using an old crappy camera and only recently bought a vloggy type one(still kinda prefer my old camera). Not used it yet tho but I've been busy.
Anyways my 77 that had AC needed the entire shroud removed. I rem thinking how stupid that was compared to other cars but I don't see why yah need to remove the hood for just the radiator, maybe AC condenser but I just cut mine out LOL
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,346
Likes: 1,174
From: CLEVELAND STUCK IN OHIO
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Did my '75 with hood on. Shrouding needs removed. Other than that, just like any other car. Move it if its in your way. Just be patient and take your time. 
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,949
Likes: 4,507
From: Virginia
Perhaps this TheCorvetteBen video. He has several others. I was able to remove my hood by myself using ropes slung from my exposed ceiling studs. Having a helper would be preferable, though.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,412
Likes: 75
St. Jude Donor '14
This is how I've done it on my 77.
Remove the hood. (2 man job) Mark the hinge locations on the hood first.
Disconnect hoses and trans cooler lines.
Unbolt radiator support by removing bolts in both front wheel wells
Remove radiator restraints at top of radiator
Remove engine fan
Tilt rad support, rad and shroud forward (toward front of car)
Lift out radiator and shroud at the same time.
No shroud cutting or pounding required.
Remove the hood. (2 man job) Mark the hinge locations on the hood first.
Disconnect hoses and trans cooler lines.
Unbolt radiator support by removing bolts in both front wheel wells
Remove radiator restraints at top of radiator
Remove engine fan
Tilt rad support, rad and shroud forward (toward front of car)
Lift out radiator and shroud at the same time.
No shroud cutting or pounding required.
Thanks everyone for the tips. I am likely not going to make a video because it would be just as bad as the other content I have viewed on YT.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 363
Likes: 72
From: Somers New York
This is how I've done it on my 77.
Remove the hood. (2 man job) Mark the hinge locations on the hood first.
Disconnect hoses and trans cooler lines.
Unbolt radiator support by removing bolts in both front wheel wells
Remove radiator restraints at top of radiator
Remove engine fan
Tilt rad support, rad and shroud forward (toward front of car)
Lift out radiator and shroud at the same time.
No shroud cutting or pounding required.
Remove the hood. (2 man job) Mark the hinge locations on the hood first.
Disconnect hoses and trans cooler lines.
Unbolt radiator support by removing bolts in both front wheel wells
Remove radiator restraints at top of radiator
Remove engine fan
Tilt rad support, rad and shroud forward (toward front of car)
Lift out radiator and shroud at the same time.
No shroud cutting or pounding required.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,684
Likes: 696
From: Danville Illinois
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
2021 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Have had the radiator in our 75 L48 auto air out two times, left the hood on. Wife helped both times, no problems.
I did split the shroud at the bottom the second time.
I did split the shroud at the bottom the second time.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,412
Likes: 75
St. Jude Donor '14
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,346
Likes: 1,174
From: CLEVELAND STUCK IN OHIO
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Yep, for sure. I made three cuts to make reinstalling and fastening the shroud a simple thing,, and concealing the re-attachment points was easy. DONT FIGHT IT,, CUT IT. 
Racer
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 388
Likes: 117
From: Tacoma, Wa
I’ve done this twice in the last year... (hopefully you bought a quality rad)
I have a 79. Didnt remove the hood, remove rad hoses and fan. Removed top radiator clamps/brackets. Loosened the fan shroud as i couldnt get it out, just moved it up close to the front of the engine. Then when pulling the rad, the passenger side hose outlet can get caught up, so i carefully wrestled it 90* so the driver side tank was facing the hood/sky. Then pulled it out. Same thing for install, in reverse.
It can be tricky during the removal part, and getting that bottom hose outlet clear of everything, it was a lot easier with my dad helping with a second pair of hands to hold the weight of the rad while I steered it out. Was able to do it myself the second time cuz I had a general idea of how to get it out.
I have a 79. Didnt remove the hood, remove rad hoses and fan. Removed top radiator clamps/brackets. Loosened the fan shroud as i couldnt get it out, just moved it up close to the front of the engine. Then when pulling the rad, the passenger side hose outlet can get caught up, so i carefully wrestled it 90* so the driver side tank was facing the hood/sky. Then pulled it out. Same thing for install, in reverse.
It can be tricky during the removal part, and getting that bottom hose outlet clear of everything, it was a lot easier with my dad helping with a second pair of hands to hold the weight of the rad while I steered it out. Was able to do it myself the second time cuz I had a general idea of how to get it out.
Last edited by Cmurray79; Aug 3, 2021 at 04:30 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,232
Likes: 1,232
From: PHX AZ
foam seal
Get a dense semi compressible foam strip, end to end....glue it down!
My buddy on these forums just recently bought a 74 'Vert.. "Hey Unkahal, the previous owner has a receipt for a new radiator, yet it's leaking from the underside".
Me; " wanna bet that the foam seal was not replaced and or was perished and the 'CORVETTE SHOP' (oxymoron) just chucked the rad in there without understanding the system".
Sure enough, Drv's side header tank worn thru in short time by lower pan support. New radiator time!
The foam surrounds are SUPER IMPORTANT!
While it is true you don't have to remove the hood for this job....I find it EASIER if you do. I mark assiduously (now forever) the upper hood hinges and the hood goes back as exactly as it left!
Good luck.
Unkahal
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,684
Likes: 696
From: Danville Illinois
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
2021 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Intentional, for sure.