Safe Removal-Radiator Support
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
From: Melrose NY
Safe Removal-Radiator Support
Well my radiator is in need of some cancer removal and fabrication, so I need to remove it from the car. This is on my 69. The body is currently of f the chassis and on a body dolly. My question is: Can I safely remove the radiator support from the front clip with out it collapsing in on itself? There really is nothing else holding together the front end being its off the frame. Is the fiberglass structure of the front clip strong enough to hold its own? Thanks in advance.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 38
From: Space Coast Gator Territory
I will assume you have something supporting the weight of the nose while the body is on the dolly? If yes, you shouldn't have any problem. I removed my radiator support and inner fender skirts with no problems before, or after reassembly. The stress is on the front clip where it is bonded to the cowl.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
The obvious mechanical stress points are at the cowling where the body/fenders are bonded to the steel birdcage, if that is rusted enough....as shown typically by the kickpanel area, and up/under the dashboard area, as well as naked windshield areas.....you can poke around and make a sound guess as to wether the glue is holding fast to the steel or not....if not, well you got troubles....
this area of judgement is all over the map due to age/conditions of climate and history/accidents/storage/etc....
best of luck...support it properly on the tippy nose or the front edge of glass....
FWIW, I have had the rad support out many times and the front bumper area holding the F end on good enough...
for that matter due to some differance I dunno about, my rad support has never been bolted to the main front boomerang shaped cross support #1.....which I changed and rust proofed years ago...
this area of judgement is all over the map due to age/conditions of climate and history/accidents/storage/etc....
best of luck...support it properly on the tippy nose or the front edge of glass....
FWIW, I have had the rad support out many times and the front bumper area holding the F end on good enough...
for that matter due to some differance I dunno about, my rad support has never been bolted to the main front boomerang shaped cross support #1.....which I changed and rust proofed years ago...
