Attempted to install new rad in core support last night. First trick use two people, injured back and minor fin damage. Couldn't get rad to sit all the way down in bottom brackets. Lubed new rubber to assist. Appears all the way down however top brackets do not line up with holes in core support. Decide to pull core support and attach rad. Find that ridges on rad do not line up with center of bottom bracket seals causing rad to sit too high. Looks like the brackets, which are welded to the core support are off by about 1/8" -- too wide. Of course this was the reason I started this job over a year ago which turned into pulling engine, tranny, etc, etc, etc. I bought these parts when I started so I am fairly certain they can not be taken back plus there is some damage (paint scratches) from attempted installs.

Now for the help part. Has anyone run into the problem with the brackets being too wide (or narrow for that matter)? I see I have 4 options:
1) Buy new rad or core support - never mind this one.
2) Cut bracket off core support and reweld 1/8" over.
3) Trim lip off bracket rubber to level with the recession in it. This would allow the rad to sit lower but reduces the ability of the seal to maintain the radiator in horizontal direction.
4) Drill out the spot welds holding the u-shape to the part welded to the core support and move the u-shape over 1/8" and either reweld or bolt up.

It should be noted that I do not have a welder and do not have easy access to one but can certainly find and pay someone near me to perform option 2.

Thoughts? Other options?

Thanks for listening to the rant and any help provided.

scott

 

I really do need the help guys. Has anyone run into this before?
scott

 

What was wrong with your original radiator?

Getting the original one recored would have been the best solution from a fit stand point. A recore is the cheapest option and the fit will be perfect because it is basically your original radiator but with a new core.

I don't think trying to relocate you lower brackets is the best course of action. If you move the lower ones you will have to move the upper ones to match. Seems like too much work and kind of expensive, especially if you have to pay someone to weld it for you.

Honestly, I would try to get your original radiator recored. Any decent radiator shop can do that for you and it is much cheaper than a new radiator. That would take care of your problem with the fit.

Good luck and I hope this helps,

Mike.

 

I had same thing on mine, one lower mount was off about 1/4" , had to cut welds and reweld the mount on that side.

 

I bought a Dewitt's and it fits like a glove. Plus you eliminate all over heating problems.

Dewitt's direct fit, only way to go

 

 

Scott,

Just had the same problem with a support I pruchased from Paragon. What a nightmare. Both supports on bottom had to be taken off and re-welded. None of the mounting bolts holes for the top bracket or the bottom lined up. Fan shroud holes off also. Spent many hours correcting. Whatever jig was used to produce this support was off by 1/2 inch.
Either return it or do as I did.

Regards,
Dewey

 

Thanks for the help!!! I agree the Dewitts path was probably best but I made that decision a year ago. Will find welder to move brackets. Glad to know I am not the only one with this type of problem.
scott

 

Had my radiator recored, bought a new support and was putting everything back together. I had problem with the support install, the shroud and the radiator wouldn't sit down low enough. The shroud was off about 1/2 inch. I was taking things in and out I don't know how many times. Finally I took the new support out and compared it with my old one. The driver side U support for the rad. was a 1/2inch off. All that frustration for nothing. Called Ecklers and had them send me a new one. Of course the tech guy says that they sell alot of them and never had a problem. Yeah right!. I had to buy another one and send the other one back so they can look at it. They credited me back. A tip, I cut the lower bolts that holds the lower shroud. It was way too long and was too hard trying to pull the shroud over it.
Is the new radiator identical to the one you pulled out. Is that the same radiator support? If the radiator is not the same and you cut and reweld it, it will only fit that rad. Don't know if you solved your problem. Hope you did.

 

i had a local guy here build me a replacement, i compared it to my old one, it was identical.

when i went to install it, the bottom slipped right in, but the top, passengers side, is off by about 1/8 to 1/4 inch, i have decided it is tight, and not to worry about it, this was after about 3 hours of messing with it, i decided i was only going to end up damaging something.