1976 Radiator Removal
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,353
Likes: 44
From: Calgary Alberta
1976 Radiator Removal
Pulling the rad out of my 76 for repair. It is an L-82 4-speed, no AC.
I have the six rad support side bolts out, the two bottom support bolts loosened, and the top brackets off from the shroud and support. The two lower nuts are also off the shroud. Hoses off.
Of course, the rad still doesn't really want to budge from the support.
Did I miss anything?
I have the six rad support side bolts out, the two bottom support bolts loosened, and the top brackets off from the shroud and support. The two lower nuts are also off the shroud. Hoses off.
Of course, the rad still doesn't really want to budge from the support.
Did I miss anything?
Last edited by Brcmpbl; Jun 11, 2014 at 08:26 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 49
From: Bridgewater nj
It's been awhile but that sounds like it. Did you take the fan off and get the shroud back away from the radiator? You might be getting the drain valve or lower hose part of the radiator hung up.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
Are you taking the entire support out or just the radiator?
I took the hood off of mine, removed the entire assembly as a unit, radiator, shroud and support. This made removal very easy. Once the support was out I removed the radiator. The radiator stuck to the seals on the left and right side of the support. It took some pulling to break it loose.
You can remove the radiator without removing the support though you will then need to deal with getting the shroud out of the way.
I took the hood off of mine, removed the entire assembly as a unit, radiator, shroud and support. This made removal very easy. Once the support was out I removed the radiator. The radiator stuck to the seals on the left and right side of the support. It took some pulling to break it loose.
You can remove the radiator without removing the support though you will then need to deal with getting the shroud out of the way.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,931
Likes: 845
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
it helps to have 2 people if your help will follow directions . the drivers side needs to come up first to get the lower hose fitting to clear everything .it is a bit heavy and awkward. i had help but gave up on the usefulness of that idea, came back and did it myself. good luck , take your time its a little tedious but you can do it.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,353
Likes: 44
From: Calgary Alberta
Hi guys.
I'm hoping to just take the rad out, and with the hood on, because I'm solo. I know it can be done, and I've got all the time.
The rad is definitely sticking to the seals on the left and right bottom brackets in the support (the two u-shaped brackets that hold the rad on the bottom - same as the ones on the top that I removed).
Not a lick of rust on the support, so I'm happy about that.
I don't have the fan off. It seems like if I can get the rad free of the sticky seals on the bottom, with the support tilted slightly forward and the shroud slightly back toward the engine, the rad might have enough room to come out. Maybe not. Maybe I should take the fan off?
I'm hoping to just take the rad out, and with the hood on, because I'm solo. I know it can be done, and I've got all the time.
The rad is definitely sticking to the seals on the left and right bottom brackets in the support (the two u-shaped brackets that hold the rad on the bottom - same as the ones on the top that I removed).
Not a lick of rust on the support, so I'm happy about that.
I don't have the fan off. It seems like if I can get the rad free of the sticky seals on the bottom, with the support tilted slightly forward and the shroud slightly back toward the engine, the rad might have enough room to come out. Maybe not. Maybe I should take the fan off?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,353
Likes: 44
From: Calgary Alberta
When you say take the fan off, do you mean take the fan off with the clutch and all?
There's two sets of four bolts, one set bolts the clutch and fan together, the other bolts the works to the pulley.
Never have had a fan off.
There's two sets of four bolts, one set bolts the clutch and fan together, the other bolts the works to the pulley.
Never have had a fan off.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,353
Likes: 44
From: Calgary Alberta
Got the fan off with the clutch.
Rad free of seals.
Thing still doesn't want to clear the shroud. It looks like I could pull the rad, support, and shroud as a unit with the hood on...might be my next try.
Rad free of seals.
Thing still doesn't want to clear the shroud. It looks like I could pull the rad, support, and shroud as a unit with the hood on...might be my next try.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,425
Likes: 1,559
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Can you separate the shroud from the radiator and hang it on the water pump and then remove the radiator?
You may have to lift the drivers side of the radiator first.
You may have to lift the drivers side of the radiator first.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
You may run into issues trying to tilt the support forward far enough to get the bottom of the shroud to clear the A-Frames.
I removed and replaced the hood on mine without help. It can be done, the hood isn't heavy. Just need to take your time, lay out some blankets to protect the edges.
I removed and replaced the hood on mine without help. It can be done, the hood isn't heavy. Just need to take your time, lay out some blankets to protect the edges.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,353
Likes: 44
From: Calgary Alberta
The hood can't come off, I'm just not set up for that where I am. Others have managed it with the hood on, I should be able to as well I hope.
I can get the rad clear of the shroud now enough to raise it slightly, and a lot on the driver side...but something is still hanging it up on the right side, doesn't want to move much, but looks clear.
Now when I read all those rad threads I can sympathize.
I can get the rad clear of the shroud now enough to raise it slightly, and a lot on the driver side...but something is still hanging it up on the right side, doesn't want to move much, but looks clear.
Now when I read all those rad threads I can sympathize.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,425
Likes: 1,559
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Is it just stuck? Or
Could the top front "A" arm bolt be in the way?
The bottom hose neck might be in the way of that bolt.
Could the top front "A" arm bolt be in the way?
The bottom hose neck might be in the way of that bolt.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,156
Likes: 273
From: Dunedin NZ.
Hi guys.
I'm hoping to just take the rad out, and with the hood on, because I'm solo. I know it can be done, and I've got all the time.
The rad is definitely sticking to the seals on the left and right bottom brackets in the support (the two u-shaped brackets that hold the rad on the bottom - same as the ones on the top that I removed).
Not a lick of rust on the support, so I'm happy about that.
I don't have the fan off. It seems like if I can get the rad free of the sticky seals on the bottom, with the support tilted slightly forward and the shroud slightly back toward the engine, the rad might have enough room to come out. Maybe not. Maybe I should take the fan off?
I'm hoping to just take the rad out, and with the hood on, because I'm solo. I know it can be done, and I've got all the time.
The rad is definitely sticking to the seals on the left and right bottom brackets in the support (the two u-shaped brackets that hold the rad on the bottom - same as the ones on the top that I removed).
Not a lick of rust on the support, so I'm happy about that.
I don't have the fan off. It seems like if I can get the rad free of the sticky seals on the bottom, with the support tilted slightly forward and the shroud slightly back toward the engine, the rad might have enough room to come out. Maybe not. Maybe I should take the fan off?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,353
Likes: 44
From: Calgary Alberta
Well guys I relent. I'm going to have to get a couple of guys and I will try to pull the hood on the weekend.
I just can't get the lower hose neck to clear the front upper control arm bolt.
My goodness.
I just can't get the lower hose neck to clear the front upper control arm bolt.
My goodness.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
From: florida
I just did mine you have to remove the hood and you will not push the schroud up and get out. I tried that. once you get the hood off you can push forward the support bracket and get it out. Its much easier when you get all that stuff out of the way. good luck remember to mark the hood bolts so you can put them back in the same place and once you put the hood back on make sure you check the hood locks are lined up right or your next post will be how to get the hood open. what I did with mine is tied (tie down straps) to the hood levers so I could open the hood from the outside of the car in case it jammed
Last edited by atp1234; Jun 12, 2014 at 07:04 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,931
Likes: 845
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
it will come out you may need to manhandle it a bit. it is probably hung on the control arm, you may need to play with how high the driver side of the radiator is. it helps to have 2 people but I've done it without help (which was the ticket)