radiator support frame...
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
From: honolulu HI
radiator support frame...
aloha..just got a new radiator support frame delivered..acually it was off of ebay through utmotors for about $60 delivered to hawaii and it is like new..highly recommend this vette shop for used parts :) anybody done this procedure of replacing the old one..is it a task or pretty easy? looks easy but looks are deciving as we all know :jester any hints or tricks please let me know..what parts need be removed to do this?anything else i should replace while in that area,radiator was just replaced when i got the vette...thanx all
this is for my 1980L-82 red racer :cheers:
[img]file:///C:/FUJIFILM/EZTOUCH/fv2.JPG[/img]
[Modified by 1980 razz, 11:18 AM 12/8/2001]
this is for my 1980L-82 red racer :cheers:
[img]file:///C:/FUJIFILM/EZTOUCH/fv2.JPG[/img]
[Modified by 1980 razz, 11:18 AM 12/8/2001]
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 11,117
Likes: 671
From: SE Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Oldtimer
Re: radiator support frame... (1980 razz)
I did it the summer before last on my 79 Vette. It's easy once you have everything out, and since you have the radiator out it's right there. I'd recommend to rust proof the inside of the rad. support before you put it in. I used eastwoods rust-pruf spray and I put a long red nozzel on the spray can so you can spray it into the crevices. It was a little slooppy as the tip wasn't so tight a fit, but other than that it was a esy bolt in install. It took two of us to lift the radiator into place so that we didn't scratch the paint? I'd get a helper if I were you. Also, make sure you install the form seals at the sides and along the top correctly, it took me a while of looking at them to figure out where that go, but you need them in order to keep the radiator sealing right and the temperture down. Good luck!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,188
Likes: 1
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan Canada
Re: radiator support frame... (daily_driver)
When I changed the one in the 77 All but one bolt snapped off so it was a good thing I was changing it or I'd be drilling a lot of broken studs. I also did it with the hood on. :)
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 7,607
Likes: 1
From: ECS Sales & Service Advisor
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Re: radiator support frame... (1980 razz)
Fun Job! Been there!
Check this... http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=173121
Good Luck! :cool:
Check this... http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=173121
Good Luck! :cool:
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 11,117
Likes: 671
From: SE Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Oldtimer
Re: radiator support frame... (1980 razz)
I used Eastwoods rust-proofing and i sprayed it into all the inside nocks and crannies using a long red spray tip from a WD-40 can. You want to cover the insides well as this is were the rust starts in the first place on most Vettes.
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Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 21,453
Likes: 461
From: Massillon,Ohio USA
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Re: radiator support frame... (1980 razz)
I did this two years ago to my 1980. I removed the hood, AIR pump and water pump as my car had 81,000mi on it so I had the AIR pump rebuilt and put a new GM water pump on it. I also did a neat modification to mine that looks stock. Instead of "drilling" holes all along the bottom for the rear attachment of the center airdam, I used those "two large square nuts" that were on my "NOS GM support." I drilled a small pilot hole, then drilled the "larger" hole for the bolt that eventually went through the airdam.
[img]http:www.corvetteforum.net/c3/anthony_b/1980coresupport.jpg[/img]
[Modified by Paul Borowski, 9:01 AM 12/10/2001]
[Modified by Paul Borowski, 9:06 AM 12/10/2001]
[img]http:www.corvetteforum.net/c3/anthony_b/1980coresupport.jpg[/img]
[Modified by Paul Borowski, 9:01 AM 12/10/2001]
[Modified by Paul Borowski, 9:06 AM 12/10/2001]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,183
Likes: 2
From: Des Moines Iowa
Re: radiator support frame... (1980 razz)
I did some repair work to the support on my '81 last year, had no sign of rust what so ever, but did have some welds coming loose......... I cleaned it really good after the repair, then sprayed it with "Rust Fix", then applied a couple of coats of semi-flat black.
When removing the support, soak the crap out of the attachment bolts, using PB Blaster, as they can be pretty rusty. (I believe there are three on each side, but can't remember for sure), and note where the washer / shims are, and re-install using same configuration. I had some difficulty getting all back toghether, but eventually got it, seems like there wasn't room for both support and washers to go back in between the mounting points, but with help of a pri-bar, I got it. I removed and re-installed radiator and support myself, without any assistance and did it without removing the hood as well, but an assistant would have been nice.
When removing the support, soak the crap out of the attachment bolts, using PB Blaster, as they can be pretty rusty. (I believe there are three on each side, but can't remember for sure), and note where the washer / shims are, and re-install using same configuration. I had some difficulty getting all back toghether, but eventually got it, seems like there wasn't room for both support and washers to go back in between the mounting points, but with help of a pri-bar, I got it. I removed and re-installed radiator and support myself, without any assistance and did it without removing the hood as well, but an assistant would have been nice.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,183
Likes: 2
From: Des Moines Iowa
Re: radiator support frame... (1980 razz)
"AIM" Assembly Instruction Manual" specific to each model year, can be purhcased from many corvette parts suppliers, just look in their catalog. This is one of those "must" manuals for many who work on their own cars.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,367
Likes: 1,061
From: Virginia USA
Re: radiator support frame... (john's '81 mouse)
"AIM" Assembly Instruction Manual" specific to each model year, can be purhcased from many corvette parts suppliers, just look in their catalog. This is one of those "must" manuals for many who work on their own cars.
John
