Well, we're digging into Aaron's car ('74) a little more and found that the not only is the driver's side upper radiator bracket missing, but the lower passenger side one is just plain *rusted off* and gone. The rest of the radiator support looks fine, just that one small area down below. (I'll take some pics of it when he has it out.)

So, can a new lower mount be welded in place, or should we just scrap it and put a new (used?) one in? I don't want him to have to do this job ever again (nor do I want to do it) so I want to get it right the first time.

Once again, I'll post some pics of the atrocity in a bit.. :(

Ken

 

Ken, the fact that the radiator support is not perforated by rust is incredible. I live in a pretty dry southwestern climate, and my car had spent all except two years of its life in this area (unfortunately, the other two years were in Louisana). The radiator support was still rusted through in two places.

Because of the nature of the beast, I would bet that there IS corrosion inside the support; it just hasn't gotten through to the outside yet. My recommendation (which I followed) is to purchase an undercoating spray gun and insert the tube into all the holes in the support to treat the interior thoroughly with either rust arresting paint or rust inhibitor. I don't want to do mine over again either. :D

Otherwise, the weld repairs seem well worth the effort. Have you priced a repro radiator support ? It's unlikely you can find an NOS specimen, and prepare to give up your right arm if you do. Not only are repros expensive, but the metal they are stamped out of is lighter than the originals.

 

I just checked Zip and Eckler's for grins, they want up past $350 for a brand new support.

The support IS perforated pretty badly at the bottom. I'm just starting to wonder if it's possible to just weld in a new functional piece at the bottom with two fabricated brackets, or if it would be easier to just get a used one. (New is no longer an option.)

I'll probably post the pics of it tomorrow..

Ken

 

Fabbing a replacement piece is probably your best bet. A new replacement is hidously expensive for what you get. The support is a pretty simple piece of metal, with the right gauge of sheet metal and a mig welder it shouldn't be hard to build a new bottom for it.

 

I agree with Steve. What are you talking about here an angle, a channel? If you don't have a metal brake, depending on how long the piece is, you may have to come up with some ingenius method to make straight line bends. I would give it a try.

Like Steve said try to match your steel gauge, and use a mig welder with shielding gas. For thin metal like the support, use small tack welds alternating location around the patch, avoiding getting the steel hot enough to warp until the patch is completely welded. Then grind the welds smooth.

 

One of the aftermarket vendors that attended the NCRS Meet in Orlando in February offered a $99 (or $199) lower radiator support angle iron that welds into place. It is a hefty piece. Once I get some sleep, I'll dig through the catalogs that I collected while there and try to post who sells it. It was one of the smaller fabricators that sold parts near the vette auction area.

 

Ken;

Had the same problem with my '73. I initially tried the repair route, just to make the core support more structurally sound. However, I think when you get the support out for repairs you'll see that it's a little more difficult to do decently than you may at first suspect. There are two brackets and a support rod that must be taken into account, and unless you are a reasonably skilled fabricator, the end result will be less than satisfying. A much better solution, IMHO, is a used support. I found one from a wrecked car that had been tweaked a little. I spent a little time - hour or so - straightening it then cleaned it up and painted it and it came out great. I paid $125 for it from a Corvette recycler in the Seattle area. Installed, it looks like a new one. Just food for thought.

 

I fabricated the lower portion of the support 4 years ago and you couldn't tell it from a new one. I cut out the rusty portion, fabricated pieces and corners for both sides.

 

Here's the damage....









I'm not so sure it can be repaired.. we bought some metal to give it a whirl, but I'm not so sure it'll work. Does anyone have any suggestions as to where to pick up a used one in decent condition? We're going to call Gary (Gruhala) first..

Ken

 

I have a 1979 and when i redid the radiator I too noticed that the support was rusted through in the very same two places. Put mine is tubular and by the time you weld and grind and weld some more you spent more in time and energy than getting a new support from a vendor. i got mine from contemperary Corvette in Bristol, PA and since it was made for my car it went in perfectly. I did rust-proofed with Anti-rust spray from Eastwood Inc. and hopefully that will be the last time in this lifetime I'll have to do this job? :cry

 

Ken, I'll bet you or someone you know can make that support useable again. I remember seeing an article in one of the restoration books about doing just this type of repair. If not, I got mine from Contemporary Corvette and at the time their price was $50- $100 less than everyone else. Hershey :chevy

 

Whew...Kenny, that sucker is ROUGH!!! It's not "perforated"; rust dragons have been chewing on the bottom. :D :D

If it were me, I would try to find a used one. Since all of them have been around the same amount of time, the problem will be finding a support that doesn't look the same.

 

Ken,
Had the same problem just replaced my 73 .... got one from , I believe contemporary corvette for about 269. check corvette & chevy trader

 

Ken
I was in your situation with my core support. At first I was going to try to weld repair it but it just was'nt worth it. I found a used one at Bloomington this year for $170 from a burn car. I bead blasted it, primed and painted it and it's good as new.
Scott

 

Ken,

If Aarons car is a small block, I may have a rad core that you guys would be interested in. It is a 3 yr. old repoduction. There is nothing wrong with it, still looks new. I bought it for my 69 but it does not fit correctly.

I need to find out exactly what the application of this support is. I thought it was for a small block car, but I have been told that big block cars with Auto trans. used a different support.

Do any of you guys who are a little more knowledgable in these things know what the difference is in sm block vs. bg block supports?
The supports at the bottom of this one (the troughs w/rubber cushions that the radiator sits in) are 27" apart but the tank flanges on my radiator are
27-1/2" apart.
Is this a small block support.?

I'm going to the vendor tomorrow to see if we can work out an exchange, but, it has been 3 years since I bought it so I'm not sure what the vendor is going to offer to do.

If I still have it after talking to the vendor, and if it will fit Aarons car, I will make you guys a great deal on it.




[Modified by Dwaynes69BB, 11:57 AM 9/3/2001]

 

Dwayne, I have no idea what the span is, but I can find out from the radiator, I would imagine. Let me know if you're willing to part with it, and for how much. Right now I'm attempting to weld a new bottom together but I don't know how successful I'm going to be at this point so I need to keep my options open.

Ken

 

Well, here's my first attempt at fabricating the lower support - I just grabbed some 2"x3/32" thick stock from Home Depot and started cutting and welding. I'm actually kinda surprised as to how well it's come together. Here's a few pics...







Hopefully I can figure out how to make the radiator shelfs themselves and also weld it into place.. if so, this will be more sturdy than the original, I hope!

Ken

 

Damn, this stuff gets tiring! Glad I'm not the one putting it in though.. :D





It's turning out okay, but it's VERY time consuming. I've only spent $15 on parts so far.

Ken

 

Wow, keep at it. You may have a better than stock setup at the rate you're going. From the look of that lower bracket that looks like a big block support, am I right?

 

Great job.... just goes to show, where there's a will, there's a way ! Great documentation!