My new (to me) '75 coupe has had a mysterious oil leak. I took it to a local expert and after an hour, we found it to be a front crankshaft seal. I replaced the fuel pump and the valve cover gasket on that side for nothing.

I have also had a cooling issue that I've talked about in the past. Since it's not "numbers matching" (engine or tranny) I've changed my focus to "resto-mod" which I was leaning toward anyway. I'm committing to restoring (resto) what I can and modifying (mod) those parts of the car to bring in the latest technology.

While planning the work for the seal replacement I've decided to commit to the additional downtime to replacing the radiator in order to replace the 2-row copper/brass with a 3 or 4 row aluminum.

As I begin the radiator removal I have discovered some rusted out places in the location of what I could only describe as the lower radiator support. The shroud is pretty much trash and I'll have to replace that too. However, if I get the dual electric fans, will I need the shroud? Will it even fit?

When it comes to the rusted out area, is this normal? Could someone help me out by telling me what other commitment of parts (including their names) and cost (range) I should expect?

I could drop the new radiator onto the old supports and deal with it later. The problem is that I have this thing about "right the first time" that keeps me grounded.....while it costs me lots of up front money...LOL!

Anyway, thanks for any guidance or suggestions you can provide regarding this sub-project.

Best regards....

Kirk

 

Hi Kirk,
You can put the new radiator in the old "radiator core support" or replace the core support too. It depends just how serious the rust is.
The fan shroud is there so the fan ('s) pull the air through the radiator not around it. So I'd say it's necessary.
I think you need to come up with a bit of an overall plan so you don't end up doing things hit or miss.
Regards,
Alan

 

My rad support was rotted in the same place as yours. I ended up buying a good used one from a member here on the site. As for your fan issue, you can buy a twin fan kit which bolts to the rad, and is its own shroud. The fans and shroud are one complete unit so you dont need anything else.

As for an aluminum rad, go with the bigger 2 core rads they seem to cool better than smaller closer together rows. I think a rad with two 1-1/4" rows are pretty good for cooling with twin fans on them. You can buy a B-cool setup like that, but they are not cheap.

Do some research into this before you drop lots of money. The trick is to get fans that will move a ton of air. I had a ****ty old Griffen rad with two 1" rows and it would not cool my 468 camaro worth a damn/ I bought a twin fan kit that pulled 3000 cfm of air and it made a world of difference.

 

since u have changed the fron crank seal & the timing chain cover gasket ,,you have to
change the oil pan gasket or it will leak when u start your engine

as for you rad support ,,if its Surface rust just clean it & paint it ,, almost any electric fan
have shroud if u want to use the stock fan shroud u have to do some mods to it

 

Oh have fun with that radiator support. Do yourself a favor, if you can't find a good used one and need to replace it, make sure you get one that fits. The cheap offshore crap is junk, they simply dont fit right. I went through this a while ago. Keen parts helped me out, they make their own and made sure the one they sent me fit first. If you need a replacement, try them and I think there is another place that guarantee's they fit right. I'll bet doc rebuild can hook you up too. There not cheap(new ones).


Get a good oil pan gasket (fel pro), and if your pulling the dampener, get the right (good) tools. Last thing you need is to ruin the crank snout. Replace the timing chain too. If your gonna pull the timing cover do it all at once. (cam shaft if you feel so inclined )


I have dual electric flex a lite fans on mine, no shroud. Fits great.


Your gonna have to take the water pump off to get the timing cover off also, might want to consider that too.

 

Does yours look like this

 

Good morning ssenay72.

Actually, my support is in much worse condition.







Can anyone tell me if the '76+ year radiator support will fit in my '75? I am looking to replace the original radiator with an aluminum version (3 or 4 row).

 

I was actually able to replace the front crank seal without removing the water pump or the timing chain cover. These had both been replaced rather recently and prior to me taking ownership of this little beauty on 4/22/10.

 

Does anyone have any source for parts or directions for wiring up two 12" electric radiator fans for my '75?

 

I'm looking for instructions on removing the radiator core support. After seeing how expensive a new one is, I think I'm going to buy a 12-pack and ask my good friend and welder to help me replace the bad part....

 

I have a '75 coupe and have an aluminum radiator inbound for Tuesday delivery. I have also purchased a dual 12" electric fan kit. Can anyone tell me where I can find a shroud that will work with a dual fan setup? HELP!

 

With the dual electric fan set up I don't think you need the shroud. That's good news because now you have clearance without the shroud to put a spreader bar from shock tower to shock tower. That will help with the torsional integrity of the body and improve handling.

http://www.vbandp.com/SearchResult.aspx

 

Thanks 08vycpe for the information. I was also advised that just in case this conversion leaves me with a cooling issue, that a pusher electric fan could help.

As a newbie/novice to this addiction....could you 'splain a spreader bar and give me a source? What I have in mind for this car is to put as much new technology as possible while retaining the stock look.

One other mod I want to make that doesn't exist on my '75 as it currently sits is a rear sway bar. Thoughts?

 

Hello all.

I have received the radiator and the dual fans today. I also received the thermostat/relay from Derale. Question; with the battery behind the seat, is there a place inside the engine compartment that I can hook control unit up that gets constant power?. I have looked at the wiring diagrams and while I could poke through some wires in search I thought I would rely on the kindness of my friends.....

I don't mind if the fans run after the car is turned off. My Buell Firebolt does it and it works well. Besides, if the mechanical fuel pump starts spitting fuel all over the engine compartment, at least when the fire starts it gets to 185 degrees, the fans will kick on and provide fuel for it.... Like Eddie Murphy said...."now that's a fire." Just kidding.

Thanks....

Kirk