I'm working on my car, albeit a tad slowly as appropriate funds become available. I just removed the radiator/fan/shroud to start the radiator/electric fan swap. I am also removing the radiator core support to inspect/refurbish. Cursory inspection with the support still in the vehicle shows very light surface rust in a few areas on the bottom support, but besides that - No Rust. The thing is solid,

However, there is one tiny little thing that for some stoopid reason just nags at me just a tiny little bit, and I can't shake it. I'm sure it's just my OCD, and it being one of those things that "Once seen, cannot be unseen". Most likely no one else would even see it.

Can you?




Did you see it? You probably need to enlarge the image pretty big.





Yeah, i know it's tough to make out, and the pics aren't the best, but it's there, trust me.




Doesn't really jump out, does it? Maybe I'll post a pic or two with the problem circled. That will probably help. Let me know if you can tell what I'm talking about. It's pretty subtle.

On a good note, the pan/bottom support looks Absolutely Smashing. Only very light surface rust over less than 30% of the pan, and is solid Everywhere. Really good shape for 44 years old vehicle.

 

So, you see it too? Cool. Thought I was the only one.

I wonder if that can be straightened, or maybe even cut out and replaced. The rest of the support is in great shape considering it's age. A Little sanding/painting/sealing should work wonders.

 

I would just buy a new support and replace the one you have.
The radiator support does much more than hold the radiator in place.
It is one of the main supports for the front clip.
Before you do anything, look for cracks in the fiberglass all along both sides of the support.
My fiberglass was cracked from top to bottom on the passenger side and about half way down on the drivers side.

 

Just buy a new support.

The 82 support has a similar notch, though not as smashed as that. I wonder what happened.

 

The dent is exactly in the middle, within 1/8" or so of perfectly centered. I did see that an '82 core support has an indention in the center, and this one could have that as well. But I don't know. It's hard to tell what the original shape of that section was, with the dent being the same width as that indention. Could have been there before - notsomuch now. Or, should I say it's been dented in/rounded out by something heavy that was/is shaped similarly to a crank pulley or harmonic balancer.

Starting to think an engine was being hoisted down into the bay and the front end (pulley or balancer) hit that section pretty good. Maybe someone loosened the valve on the engine hoist too quick and it dropped on it before the pump pressure release valve could be tightened. Just a guess. I smashed the oil pan on a 400 SBC 25 years ago when I did the same thing, but it hit the concrete floor......

 

I think the 82 notch has three crisp bends.

The big problem with your current support is that it would interfere with the dual-snorkel CAI, if you ever try to fit that If you need a front intake for an LS-style intake, the notch might be useful. Is that the original engine? Is it possible that it was Gen 2 LT, or even Crossfire, swapped in a previous life?

Smashing things accidentally usually doesn't yield a purposeful clearance notch, but who knows.

 

here is a great thread on 80 replacement and a video too..
looks like replacements had an indentation section as well. Sure looks like yours.. i would try to pull out most and hammer dolly. it will relax the tension on frame/ body too i would think
if not rusted out..and on a budget, i may consider beating that in place and covering with cold air OEM set up..
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...acement-2.html

82 depression mentioned below.. looks like vendors sell generic years but one was specific to 80 -81 pictured below.


80- 81?

82

82

 

I installed a new core support on my black 1980 L82 , mine was rusted out at the bottom where it catches all the road debris from Cincinnati winters back when it was new , fairly easy install

 

The company that I worked at for 34 years in maintenance made all of the metal Corvette radiator supports for GM. Yours is twisted besides being smashed. That support has to be perfectly straight for your front end fiberglass to be held correctly. Buy a new one! They are not that much. The one guy that made them in spot welding took 2-3 days to make one. Lou.

 

I appreciate the input. will finish removing it when my garage gets above 40 degrees. Was 7 yesterday. I REALLY hate working on frozen concrete.

 

It was 61 in my garage today.
Just sayin!

 

wish I could get mine that cool. Can't afford to air-con the garage!

 

It won’t be long until it hits the triple digits in my garage.

 

OP-i would replace it. OP and the rest- install a mini split. Get 30% tax credit on energy star models.

 

I got 99 problems, but the heat ain't 1. I'm in Central Ohio, doesn't get hot enough to worry about. What I NEED is a really good garage HEATER.

 

I acquiesced to the collective wisdom of all who responded and ordered a new one today. Should be here within the week. I'll probably get back to removing the old one tomorrow as it's supposed to be 54 degrees. Once I get it out I will clean everything I can reach. The front of the engine bay is pretty wide open now. Probably be a great time to change the front shocks as well. I wonder what else I'll see/find that will need attention on front end. The car is only 44 years old (52K miles), shouldn't be much, right?

One question - When I was searching for a core support, I saw there are a few companies that sell Core Support Bolt and Shim Kits. Hmm, shims? This is the first time I've seen anything suggesting shims might be needed.

How do I know if I need shims?

 

TheCorvetteBen released an appropriate video today.

 

There was a well hidden ground strap between the chassis and the lower drivers side corner of the core support on my 73.
I’m not sure what years it was installed on but it wouldn’t hurt to look for it and replace it while you’re in there.

 

I reused the original shims on my 80 , I can't remember if I took any shims out from being too tight or added a washer if it was loose but don't worry about at this point because that's an easy problem