Radiator Removal
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,337
Likes: 14
From: Norfolk VA
Radiator Removal
Is it really necessary to remove the hood in order to remove the radiator?
I looked in the service manual and of course it did not say anything about removing the hood. I rather not but I suppose that removing the hood will give you more room to remove the radiator.
I looked in the service manual and of course it did not say anything about removing the hood. I rather not but I suppose that removing the hood will give you more room to remove the radiator.
Last edited by Oldguard 7; Aug 20, 2009 at 09:58 PM.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 680
Likes: 3
From: charlotte N.C
Yes it will only take a second and save you a lot of time in the long run. Are you replacing you radiator support or is it good? I just remove my radiator 3 days ago. My advice is watch out for one major thing.... getting carried away. My project started out as only the radiator, the support, and water pump. Now I have removed the A/C, power steering, headers, condenser and going to lift the engine to paint and clean up the engine bay. 
I figure I don’t ever this much room to work so might as well do it all at once. Let me know if you have any question when replacing the radiator.
I figure I don’t ever this much room to work so might as well do it all at once. Let me know if you have any question when replacing the radiator.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
From: san diego ca
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,419
Likes: 1,555
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
I did not remove the hood, but it may be easier for you as your 79 may be different that my 74.
PG.
PG.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,802
Likes: 61
From: Wichita KS
If you have A/C, you have less room to lean your core support forward so removing the hood will make life a lot easier.
It's not bad. Take a drill and drill a pilot hole into each bracket so you can realign them later then take an awl and scratch around the top and inside edge of the bracket. There is a lot of adjustment in each direction so the lines will help make sure both planes are aligned.
You can omit drilling the pilot holes but it makes things easier.
In any case, with the hood out of the way you will have plenty of room to lean the core support forward. This is especially helpful in getting the shroud out. Plus things drop into place more or less when you go to put it back together.
Save yourself a lot of time and effort.
I have had mine out 5 times over the last 2 months and let me tell you you don't want to do that if you don't have to.
cc
It's not bad. Take a drill and drill a pilot hole into each bracket so you can realign them later then take an awl and scratch around the top and inside edge of the bracket. There is a lot of adjustment in each direction so the lines will help make sure both planes are aligned.
You can omit drilling the pilot holes but it makes things easier.
In any case, with the hood out of the way you will have plenty of room to lean the core support forward. This is especially helpful in getting the shroud out. Plus things drop into place more or less when you go to put it back together.
Save yourself a lot of time and effort.
I have had mine out 5 times over the last 2 months and let me tell you you don't want to do that if you don't have to.
cc
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Before touching the hood bolts, mark the hinge locations, either scratch into the glass around the hinge on two sides, OR, use a dab of paint in that area so you can find the exact location of the hinge plate when reassembling......
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 459
Likes: 1
From: Lindenhurst, Long Island, New York
I unbolted my rad core support on the side (6 bolts) but left the bottom two in place, but loose. I then leaned the core support, rad and shroud up and pulled like hell! I found rotating the shroud 180° then pulling it out helped a lot. Once the shroud is out, just undo the radiator top brackets and slide her out.
If you need more tips, let me know.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma City OK
I am thinking about replacing the stock radiator I have in my car for a better quality aluminum one and from all my reading I would remove the hood and just mark the bracket locations before removing it. I will use a wax pencil or crayon probably so I can remove it easily after I replace it all.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,802
Likes: 61
From: Wichita KS
I am thinking about replacing the stock radiator I have in my car for a better quality aluminum one and from all my reading I would remove the hood and just mark the bracket locations before removing it. I will use a wax pencil or crayon probably so I can remove it easily after I replace it all.
cc
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,337
Likes: 14
From: Norfolk VA
Thanks everyone, that is what I thought in regards of removing the hood. I have removed and installed the hood by myself when I replaced the radiator back in 2002 while doing my engine build. I also removed and installed the hood by myself this past June when I removed the condensor. My radiator core support is in good shape. (I used Por 15 on it when I replaced the radiator back then. True it would would be easier to remove and install if you have a helper. I can remove and install the hood by myself. I'm just being lazy which is why I asked the question. Guess I will remove it.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Ballston Spa New York
I'll be darned if I can locate them and are they also known as the upper radiator support panel? Also. where are the bolts located to remove these brackets?
Thnx, Oz
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
They are the brackets at the upper corners and on top of the radiator. There is a flat plate with two holes which bolts to the reverse side of the radiator frame; an upside-down "U" channel is attached to the bracket and those fit over the top of the radiator to retain it. If you see the two bolt holes on each side of the rad frame, but nothing is bolted there, someone has previously removed those radiator retaining brackets.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Ballston Spa New York
They are the brackets at the upper corners and on top of the radiator. There is a flat plate with two holes which bolts to the reverse side of the radiator frame; an upside-down "U" channel is attached to the bracket and those fit over the top of the radiator to retain it. If you see the two bolt holes on each side of the rad frame, but nothing is bolted there, someone has previously removed those radiator retaining brackets.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Ballston Spa New York
Can anyone tell me if the A/C radiator must be removed with the coolant radiator in the removal procedure?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
If you have an automatic tranny, there are two tranny oil cooling lines that are connected to the side tank on the radiator. Those need to be removed (back-side of the right side tank) and any tranny oil allowed to drain out before you can remove the radiator. It could also have some old seals that are stuck to surfaces. You do not need to remove the A/C condenser [in front of the radiator]; but you can unbolt it from the rad frame and tilt it forward to ease the removal of the radiator.