Had my radiator frame acid dipped and debating whether to weld in some patches or buy a new one. The piece is still solid but its a pretty important part and the "patching" will be a little tedious as I don't have metal shaping/bending tools. Some pics below for reference. Also looking for any comments on new pieces that are non USA made as they are about $300 less than the USA versions. Anyone buy one and how was it? Any general input is welcome. TIA

shook out quite a lot of rust from inside as well

 

You could try Coffman Corvette (419) 522-2246. They are based in Mansfield, OH and they specialize in core supports. They may be able to repair yours since it doesn't look too bad. They also build new core supports. Made in the USA. Family-owned business. Mine was too far gone to repair and I ended up buying a new core support from them. It was perfect. High quality and fit like a glove.

https://www.coffmancorvette.com/

 

i was at that crossroad on my 69 about a month ago, mine was very rusty, the price of the China one sure seemed like the route to go but i did not want problems from going cheap and i wanted usa so i did the coffman usa core support and it is great and i dont regret it. the shipping was also very fast 2 days.
your current support looks very fixable someone might want it for the right price to fix.

 

I had mine out about 8 years ago and it was in similar condition to yours. The thin areas with pin holes quickly opened up a lot once welding heat was applied.
These things tend to rust from the inside out.
That said, being overseas. I patched mine. It's just that it took a lot more patching than originally thought. I wasn't particularly concerned about perfect appearance. Just fit.
As once installed in the car no one is going to see it.
As perfect looks wasn't priority, bending patch panels in a vice was good enough. Basically a free repair other than primer and paint. And spraying the inside with rust converter.
As per the Chinese made unit. I would be very concerned about the quality of the steel they are made of.

 

If you can do a little cutting and welding that looks patchable/repairable. I'd just try repairing it.

 

I'll definitely check out Coffman and see what they have. I know I could repair it and agree it doesn't show but too many plates in the air right now so time is an issue.
thanks for the feedback

 

A Coffman will set you back $690. The “other ones” appear to run $365 so quite the spread.

I’d first take a pick hammer and assess what you have. If you can easily poke holes with light hammering, those areas are no longer viable, in terms of providing the requisite support for the radiator. On the other hand, if the distressed areas are more contained, you might consider just priming and painting without attempting any repairs, followed by pouring rustproofing material inside to prevent further deterioration. There are thousands of these cars with Swiss cheese core supports and aren’t going to park you on the side of the road.

The Coffman option will avoid any concerns down the road (especially if you pour rustproofing material inside). Even if you do a stellar job of welding in patches, a future buyer, if they do their full due diligence, will see the repairs and that will raise concerns over what else may be rusted on the car.

If you are willing to accept the fact that the ones built across the pond aren’t the quality of the Coffman’s, you are probably fine with that option. I think the main concern is how well it fits but since it is sheetmetal, you have some room for “persuasion”.

 

The metal thickness of China-parts is also something you need to ask the China vendor about.

 

I've been talked out of the Chinesium one. Over my career I "sourced" quite a bit from Asia and in particular steel was almost always inferior. This is a complex part as well.
tks

 

I think you made the correct decision. Im at the point where I will go great lengths to avoid Chinese made parts which can be very difficult. Im glad I read this thread having found a USA source of radiator supports.

 

Consider that once a part is acid dipped it is near impossible to add corrosion protection without dipping in a vat of e coating. The acid will remove everything from all the cracks and crevices' The challenge is to recoat those areas.

Your radiator support still looks serviceable by welding a patch into the large hole, for the smaller holes consider seam sealer or panel bond and move on. Just another thought on the larger hole is that the panel bond would work by cutting two strips of metal and bonding them to the support if you are not too worried about looks vs function.

Have you looked for a used radiator support from a dry state? Like Nevada or Arizona?

 

mine had pot holes running 1 feet on the inside edge
I brazed and finished it with grinding tools
and repainted and looks great

you will have to cut and form a piece and braze and finish

i do have brand new one for a 69
26 inch rad
it is a brand new repop
325.00 shipped
if you have a BB or Lt1 I can show you where to grind off the supporting bracket and move an inch over and make it fit
those rads supports are 500.00

 

The automotive parts company that I worked for in maintenance for 34 years in Cleveland made all of the Corvette radiator supports from about 1960-1982. This is a very exacting, extremely hard to make part. Especially the six side holes have to be held in perfect alignment with a jig while spot welding. Only one person welded these supports for all of those years because it is so difficult to fabricate it. And too easy to make it wrong.
This part supports the whole front end of your car. If any of the side holes are off, you will have problems installing it. If the sides are not straight on the outside, the inner fender will not fit right.
Thin metal warps from welding heat also, if you try to repair it.
We lost the contract with GM and then it went to someone in Canada and then Coffman Corvette acquired all of the dies and welding jigs, except for 1968 supports. As I said I worked there for 34 years and we never made a 1968 "service part" radiator support. Then GM ordered all of the old dies that we had destroyed and there went the 68 dies. I have had a 1968 coupe for 53 years now.
Buy a new USA made one from Coffman. Lou Palfy from MTD Automotive, Cleveland (Parma) plant.

 

So, are you saying there isn't a replacement available for '68 cars? Is the only option to upgrade to the later supports and radiator? I really appreciate the backstory on unique parts like these. Thanks

 

Corvette Central has duplicated and sells 1968 radiator supports. They started doing this in the last 5-6 years, I think. We had a wall in the spot welding department that had "master" supports hanging. There was a C-1 support that was a giant "U", a couple of C-2 supports and 68 and later supports. You are probably not familiar with the 68's being a total mongrel. Many designs on the 68's are carried over from the 67. 67 and 68's have the same steering column, with the bracket welded in a different location. 67 and 68's have the same front spindle and bearing size. The one bearing was made larger in 69 due to failures in racing.
Anyway, the unique 68 only radiator support is almost identical to the 63-67's except for the side member shape to attach to the different shaped inner wheel wells. It was quite easy to see that they were very similar designs hanging next to each other on the wall. 68 Supports have a triangle shaped bracket that attaches the support to the front frame horns and not the first frame crossmember like a 69-up support. 68 (C-2 copy) supports did not have enough air flow through the smaller opening and smaller radiators. The 68 Corvette was GM's first bottom breather car. Look at a C-2, huge front grille to let air straight into the radiator. On a C-3, the real air flow to the radiator is through the two lower nose holes. The headlights with their rubber stone guards block the air through there. The center grille has a license plate blocking that air. Not good!
My company, Modern Tool & Die also made the two outer "dog leg" braces on the end of the front frame that went to the outer chrome bumper ends. We also made the two ribbed panels underneath the carpeting in the "bird cage" behind our seats.
We made a ton of C-4 parts and then when the C-4's ended, they told GM no more making low production Corvette parts. That shocked GM because we were such a good parts maker. Modern Tool & Die is MTD that makes outdoor power equipment, Cub Cadet, MTD yard machines, Yard Man and Troy Bilt, also now Craftsman. MTD was bought by Stanley Black and Decker. Only our plant and a sister plant that made Ford valve covers and oil pans made automotive parts.

I have a very long thread called "Long time chrome bumper owner speaks" on the forum that you might enjoy reading. Lou.

 

Just wanted to update that I ordered and received a new one from Coffman. A really nice piece, thanks for the tip.
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