71 radiator removal questions
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 5
From: Brown Summit North Carolina
71 radiator removal questions
I plan to soon remove the radiator & core from my 71 car with 350 4 speed.
It looks like a pretty straight forward project but I recently saw a
thread that explained how you can raise or lower the front fenders of
of a car by loosening the radiator support bolts inside the fender wells
That thread caused me some re thinking,
When I go to remove the radiator & core support is my front end going to drop and create a problem to line back up when finished?
If this is a watch out to be prepared for , Do I place jacks somewhere
under the front end to hold the nose up while the radiator / core is
re furbished?
Thanks
David
It looks like a pretty straight forward project but I recently saw a
thread that explained how you can raise or lower the front fenders of
of a car by loosening the radiator support bolts inside the fender wells
That thread caused me some re thinking,
When I go to remove the radiator & core support is my front end going to drop and create a problem to line back up when finished?
If this is a watch out to be prepared for , Do I place jacks somewhere
under the front end to hold the nose up while the radiator / core is
re furbished?
Thanks
David
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
If you leave the rest of the front end all bolted up it will not drop. The front bumper and brackets will hold up the front end. I have had mine out a few times and replaced it also with no problems in the front end dropping.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 5
From: Brown Summit North Carolina
David
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,692
Likes: 207
From: Loveland, CO
I just completed radiator repair on my '69 (don't try to overtighten the drain petcock unless you want a face full of antifreeze when it comes out in your hand). Bumper holds up front clip as stated above.
I have always found it easier to remove the radiator/shroud/radiator support as a unit. You will need to take off the hood and remove the fan, but that is nothing over trying to remove just the radiator.
Have fun.
Ralph.
I have always found it easier to remove the radiator/shroud/radiator support as a unit. You will need to take off the hood and remove the fan, but that is nothing over trying to remove just the radiator.
Have fun.
Ralph.
Last edited by rponfick; Mar 24, 2008 at 03:30 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 5
From: Brown Summit North Carolina
I just completed radiator repair on my '69 (don't try to overtighten the drain petcock unless you want a face full of antifreeze when it comes out in your hand). Bumper holds up front clip as stated above.
I have always found it easier to remove the radiator/shroud/radiator support as a unit. You will need to take off the hood and remove the fan, but that is nothing over trying to remove just the radiator.
Have fun.
Ralph.
I have always found it easier to remove the radiator/shroud/radiator support as a unit. You will need to take off the hood and remove the fan, but that is nothing over trying to remove just the radiator.
Have fun.
Ralph.
Thanks rponfick
David
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,285
Likes: 4,375
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi David,
You've been given good advice so far! I would only add that I tape a flat piece of cardboard on each side of the radiator, to protect the 'fins' on the core. I don't like to see a radiator that's had some of the fins 'smushed'. By the way, smushed is a purely technical word!
Good Luck, you'll do this job easily!
Regards,
Alan
You've been given good advice so far! I would only add that I tape a flat piece of cardboard on each side of the radiator, to protect the 'fins' on the core. I don't like to see a radiator that's had some of the fins 'smushed'. By the way, smushed is a purely technical word!
Good Luck, you'll do this job easily!
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 5
From: Brown Summit North Carolina
Hi David,
You've been given good advice so far! I would only add that I tape a flat piece of cardboard on each side of the radiator, to protect the 'fins' on the core. I don't like to see a radiator that's had some of the fins 'smushed'. By the way, smushed is a purely technical word!
Good Luck, you'll do this job easily!
Regards,
Alan
You've been given good advice so far! I would only add that I tape a flat piece of cardboard on each side of the radiator, to protect the 'fins' on the core. I don't like to see a radiator that's had some of the fins 'smushed'. By the way, smushed is a purely technical word!
Good Luck, you'll do this job easily!
Regards,
Alan
Thanks for the additional advice , I will sure do that with some cardboard.
Once I get a proper original radiator installed I will be thru with the major plans for this winter's round of work.
But after seeing your car , I am considering selling mine and moving to Tibet.
David
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Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
If you have a good radiator repair shop in your area, they should be able to thoroughly clean and check your radiator for any leaks, weak areas, damage, and pressure check it for integrity. If there is damage and you can re-core it for less than $300, I would recommend that you do so.....unless you have a modified engine that needs to get rid of more heat than a stock unit. There are some good replacements out there, but nothing will go back in any easier than the one that came out. Good luck. [P.S. The cardboard idea is a really good one.]
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 5
From: Brown Summit North Carolina
If you have a good radiator repair shop in your area, they should be able to thoroughly clean and check your radiator for any leaks, weak areas, damage, and pressure check it for integrity. If there is damage and you can re-core it for less than $300, I would recommend that you do so.....unless you have a modified engine that needs to get rid of more heat than a stock unit. There are some good replacements out there, but nothing will go back in any easier than the one that came out. Good luck. [P.S. The cardboard idea is a really good one.]
Good advice on having the unit checked. My current radiator has a very good core , but the tanks are not right for my year model. If the core on the unit I hope to get test bad , my plan B is to have my core switched to the new tanks.
Thanks again
Hope I can help you some day
David
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,285
Likes: 4,375
From: Westminster Maryland
David,
I truly believe that an LT-1 is THE 71 to have. Don't sell, don't move. I think I wrote before that you're having more FUN with your car than I'm having with mine!!!
Regards,
Alan
I truly believe that an LT-1 is THE 71 to have. Don't sell, don't move. I think I wrote before that you're having more FUN with your car than I'm having with mine!!!
Regards,
Alan