Has anyone heard or used this method?

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Oct 22, 2009 | 04:23 PM

CoolKars

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Has anyone heard or used this method?

Install radiator & shroud:

I was told that I should raise the car off the floor, then put jack stands under the lower control arms and lower car to release the load on them.
Next to remove upper control arm bolts and shims, then move upper control arms to allow enough clearance for replacing radiator and shroud.

Is this a good method vs removing hood and then radiator support bolts?

Oct 22, 2009 | 07:59 PM

riggs 74

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From: springfield ohio

Do not do this, this is the hard way and you will probably
need an alignment when you are done.

I was told that I should raise the car off the floor, then put jack stands under the lower control arms and lower car to release the load on them.
Next to remove upper control arm bolts and shims, then move upper control arms to allow enough clearance for replacing radiator and shroud.

Do this, its much easier. you will find that the radiator and shroud
fit in there pretty tight but just take your time and get some help
with pulling the hood and the radiator, it can be done by yourself
(I did it that way) but it is easier with a helper.

removing hood and then radiator support bolts?[/QUOTE]

Riggs.

Oct 22, 2009 | 09:03 PM

myk7

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From: Bryan Texas

I replaced a radiator in an 82 the other day.. I pulled the fan and fan clutch as one unit, disconnected the shrowd and pulled it back towards the engine, pulled the top radiator brackets, disconnected the radiator hoses and pulled the radiator out. I had to work the lower hose connection around the upper control arm, but wasn't a big deal. Didn't pull the hood or anything else.

Oct 22, 2009 | 11:49 PM

wombvette

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From: New Hill NC

Quote:

Originally Posted by myk7

Much easier on an `82 than some of the earlier ones though.

Removal of the upper arm is a way of doing it, but the upper bolt on the arm is about as hard as removing the shroud itself, so, unless you have the tools to remove the bolt, it is not really the way to go. You only need to remove the RH side to free the shroud.

Removal of the hood and rocking the support out at the top is the better way.

Oct 23, 2009 | 05:05 AM

RunningMan373

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From: Bay Area CA

Where are ALL the radiator core support bolts? I was only able to see the lower ones when i did the job

. are the upper ones glassed over in some way?

Oct 23, 2009 | 07:38 AM

redwingvette

Safety Car

Joined: Aug 2001

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From: Waterford Mi

Looking inside the wheel wells you should see 3 bolts on each side. The top bolts are almost covered by the hood hinge bolts.

Oct 23, 2009 | 11:16 AM

CCrane65

Safety Car

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From: Wichita KS

If you have an early C3 with A/C, the top bolt on the passenger side is above the fiberglass relief for the A/C condenser lines.

cc

Oct 23, 2009 | 11:37 AM

76 VETTE

Melting Slicks

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From: upstate N.Y.

I have read several posts about installing radiator and shroud as a single unit.When i did mine ,I put them in seperate and it was a real PITA but doable.Good luck!