Rusted radiator frame...
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,255
Likes: 82
From: Brampton Ont.
I'm not sure how to paste a link but, go to search and try to locate a thread " Radiator support rotten... " just as I typed it and hopefully that should help. the date of the last entry was 03-30-2005.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 918
Likes: 5
From: Gainesville FL
You might get lucky and find one in decent condition in a salvage yard or E-bay, but the odds are only so-so since this is a really common problem. Supports are pretty pricy new, but that may be your only option. Be sure to match the support with your existing shroud since different years used different designs. However, if you also need a shroud, you can go with a late 76 - 81 support since this takes a much less expensive plastic shroud.
I put my new support in as a unit with the radiator and shroud pre-installed after removing the hood.
I put my new support in as a unit with the radiator and shroud pre-installed after removing the hood.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,812
Likes: 4
From: Gig Harbor Wa
I found a brand new one on ebay for about $100 lower than new. Of course that was after I bought one that had "slight surface rust" i.e. rusted all the way through. I knew I was in trouble when I picked up the box and it sounded like there was sand in it.
If you go the ebay route, make sure you ask a lot of questions and look at several pictures.
If you go the ebay route, make sure you ask a lot of questions and look at several pictures.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 856
Likes: 2
From: Tyler Texas
I got mine (rad core support) from Dewitts. Fast shipment and a quality product. Not cheap, but should last for the remainder of my life. It is a labor intensive job to replace the core support and I only wanted to replace it once. You can find them occassionally on e bay for less money, but any 30 year old core support that is used will have some rust on it.
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 9
From: Science Bitch! Mississauga, Ontario
Canadian Events Coordinator
Originally Posted by Maymyvetteliveforevr
I'm not sure how to paste a link but, go to search and try to locate a thread " Radiator support rotten... " just as I typed it and hopefully that should help. the date of the last entry was 03-30-2005.
Here you go.
Radiator Support Rotten...
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 918
Likes: 5
From: Gainesville FL
According to the catalog, 69-73 are interchangeable, 74-early 76 are interchangeable and late 76-81 are interchangeable. The biggest hassle will be an 82, since this has what appears to be a dent in the top. This was put in to clear something mounted to the hood of 82's (I'm not exactly sure what). I do know that an 82 support fits a 76 just fine. 
As far as I know, all 74-82 supports fit the 8 bolts holding it to the car the same way; they differ in the attaching points for the shroud. If you are replacing both the support and shroud together, you have a lot of options. If you will keep your original shroud, you'll need to match the support to it. Can't help with supports on 69-73 models since I have no experience with these.
As far as I know, all 74-82 supports fit the 8 bolts holding it to the car the same way; they differ in the attaching points for the shroud. If you are replacing both the support and shroud together, you have a lot of options. If you will keep your original shroud, you'll need to match the support to it. Can't help with supports on 69-73 models since I have no experience with these.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
You can get away without, but I would definitely remove the
hood to be safe. The radiator support is actually holding up
the side supports taht the hood hinges bolt to. Once the
bolts on the sides of the support are removed, only the inner
fender fiberglass is holding the hood hinges up. Should be OK -
but some people don't like taking chances. On the other hand,
removing the hood means that you will be forced to learn how
to align the hood during re-install.
Good Luck
hood to be safe. The radiator support is actually holding up
the side supports taht the hood hinges bolt to. Once the
bolts on the sides of the support are removed, only the inner
fender fiberglass is holding the hood hinges up. Should be OK -
but some people don't like taking chances. On the other hand,
removing the hood means that you will be forced to learn how
to align the hood during re-install.
Good Luck
