Radiator install help
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 109
Likes: 2
From: Hillsville VA
Radiator install help
I have just got around to installing the radiator in my 76. I took it out last summer for leak repairs and ended up redoing more than just the radiator. Now its time to go back in and I cant get it to go. My problem is on the passenger side where the outlet is. There is a bolt for the sway bar under the outlet and a bolt and nut from a bracket on the frame. The outlet seems to be hitting on these and will not fall into the saddle on the support. I have tried loosening the support and tilting it forward at the top, but still wont go. Please help.
Also, the repair shop had to resolder the tank on that side and who knows what else. I didnt pick up the radiator and was not able to talk to them. The core support is also new. I had them together out of the car so I know they fit together. Thanks, Kevin
Also, the repair shop had to resolder the tank on that side and who knows what else. I didnt pick up the radiator and was not able to talk to them. The core support is also new. I had them together out of the car so I know they fit together. Thanks, Kevin
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 109
Likes: 2
From: Hillsville VA
I was able to pry the core support over towards the driver side a little but it is still tight in there. I may have to pull that bolt for now and maybe replace it with one slightly shorter. Any helpful suggestions or ideas are welcome. Thanks, Kevin
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 109
Likes: 2
From: Hillsville VA
I was looking at pics of others radiators and it looks like the outlet should be flat on that one side where mine is not. Is it possible that the rad shop replaced the outlet on mine and that is the problem?
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
From: Central llinois
I just got my new radiator from dewitts and there was a note in the box that explained that the "dented" portion of that tube was not damage, but there for clearance and that this was also done from the factory. I looked at the old radiator in my car and it has an indent also. It is a 69, but it looks like yours should have the indent too
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 109
Likes: 2
From: Hillsville VA
I just got my new radiator from dewitts and there was a note in the box that explained that the "dented" portion of that tube was not damage, but there for clearance and that this was also done from the factory. I looked at the old radiator in my car and it has an indent also. It is a 69, but it looks like yours should have the indent too
I may pick up a radiator from the parts store to compare to my old one and see if it fits any better. I just hope that it is something with the radiator repair as opposed to the new core support I just put in.
If anyone has the measurements of a factory radiator they could offer that would be great too.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 109
Likes: 2
From: Hillsville VA
I am really thinking about just getting a new radiator for the car. The one that I had repaired just looks butchered. Not only was the tank leaking but there were several other leaks in it were it looked like the PO removed it and wasnt very carefull. Some of the tubes were "pinched" closed and had to be soldered.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,593
Likes: 631
From: Brighton
The lower connection is very close on all C3's and it's very common for the front end to sag or drop over time, making the tube hit something. Since you removed and replaced the core support, I'd say the front end dropped too much. The bolts look to long too.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
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
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 109
Likes: 2
From: Hillsville VA
I was also saying that the tank on that side had been removed and replaced and I am thinking that they didnt get it back on properly when looking at the bottom the tank looks twisted. It also looks like it could be a little wider at the bottom. I may take some measurements from tank to tank, top and bottom.
