Tips on putting the radiator back in.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,449
Likes: 0
Tips on putting the radiator back in.
74 auto with AC
An auto mechanic friend of mine and I took out the radiator this weekend because it apparently had a pretty good leak. Love story short it took up about 4 hours. The lower hose connection kept getting hung up on the a-arm. We had to un-bolt the support bracket and tip it forward and it was still a nightmare. In what order would you guys re-install the radiator, shroud, shroud extender and fan?
Also, there was a bit of rust on the support bracket, and while it's out I was planing on hitting it with some rustoleum, whats some other things I should do while it's out.
Also also, is there a way to operate the head lamps and get them up and out of the way without vacuum?
Miles
An auto mechanic friend of mine and I took out the radiator this weekend because it apparently had a pretty good leak. Love story short it took up about 4 hours. The lower hose connection kept getting hung up on the a-arm. We had to un-bolt the support bracket and tip it forward and it was still a nightmare. In what order would you guys re-install the radiator, shroud, shroud extender and fan?
Also, there was a bit of rust on the support bracket, and while it's out I was planing on hitting it with some rustoleum, whats some other things I should do while it's out.
Also also, is there a way to operate the head lamps and get them up and out of the way without vacuum?
Miles
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,041
Likes: 505
From: myrtle beach sc
Army
The headlights are made to be able to be manually brought up. You grab the mechanism and gently push up on the front part. Watch out that you do not get your hand cought when it snaps open by the powerful springs. Lay down on some cardboard and operate it that way, so that you can see what you are doing. Lou.
Last edited by loup68; Sep 29, 2014 at 09:00 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,941
Likes: 850
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
just push firmly upward on the headlight carrier it will come up. when i reinstall the radiator i tilt the lower hose fitting around the control arm and pivot the opposite side down. it is easier with 2 people. then move the shroud forward .
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 119
Likes: 3
From: Boise ID
I just put a radiator in my 73. I pulled the upper control arms and the radiator fell in. You don't have to take the ball joint out of it just take the control arm off the frame mount and pull them back. About 15 min a side.
DAVE
DAVE
Last edited by Roozstr; Sep 29, 2014 at 02:48 PM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,449
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Miles
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,276
Likes: 337
From: "ɹǝpunuʍop", Adelaide, South Australia
here's what i did for the radiator and shroud install on my 72earlier this year when all apart,
bolt the frame, radiator and shroud all together as one unit outside the car,
then install as one unit, bit heavy n bulky, but easy done with 2 people,
saves the cursing an swearing trying to get the shroud past the A arms.
took 5min and it was all back in.
then only put the bottom side frame bolts in, then lift top towards the front, slip the bottom radiator hose on and clamp.
lower back down, install the rest of the side frame bolts, done.
bolt the frame, radiator and shroud all together as one unit outside the car,
then install as one unit, bit heavy n bulky, but easy done with 2 people,
saves the cursing an swearing trying to get the shroud past the A arms.
took 5min and it was all back in.
then only put the bottom side frame bolts in, then lift top towards the front, slip the bottom radiator hose on and clamp.
lower back down, install the rest of the side frame bolts, done.
Last edited by riverracer au; Sep 28, 2014 at 08:40 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 147
From: S Nevada
The 72 service manual recommends removing the upper 2 shroud bolts on either side of the radiator and then hinging the radiator/shroud assy upwards. Access is through the lt and rt wheel wells. Just saying.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,941
Likes: 850
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
i pulled the shroud close to the engine and never took it out. twisted the radiator into place and slid the shroud forward and worked it into place. i can't imagine pulling a control arm but i guess that would work. it is one of those things you just have to play with it and all of a sudden it will find its way. definitely a pain but its been done.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,156
Likes: 273
From: Dunedin NZ.
Check the support bracket carefully, they rust from the inside out and they are a frame stiffening device as well as the radiator support. As they are full of drill holes it is easy while the support it out of the car to put some rust preventer in the frame and swirl it around to get at all the internal surfaces. I use a fish oil product for this type of application.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,755
Likes: 721
From: Lafayette Louisiana
couple of additional comments....
couple of additional comments...
agree with all of the above, plus I would paint mark the location of the hood hinges and pull the hood off as it gives you some more access room.
Also, I would put some cardboard over the radiator fins on both sides to keep from damaging the radiator fins by accident.
Hope this helps.
agree with all of the above, plus I would paint mark the location of the hood hinges and pull the hood off as it gives you some more access room.
Also, I would put some cardboard over the radiator fins on both sides to keep from damaging the radiator fins by accident.
Hope this helps.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 119
Likes: 3
From: Boise ID
i pulled the shroud close to the engine and never took it out. twisted the radiator into place and slid the shroud forward and worked it into place. i can't imagine pulling a control arm but i guess that would work. it is one of those things you just have to play with it and all of a sudden it will find its way. definitely a pain but its been done.
Dave
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,449
Likes: 0
So I got the radiator back tonight and put it back in the car no problem. I got ask the hoses hooked up and everything is great. But I'm not sure the fan shroud will be able to go in with the radiator already in. I'm looking for anything I can do to not pull the radiator again, had anyone replaced their shroud without taking the radiator out? What about from the bottom by removing the sway bar?
Miles
Miles
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 119
Likes: 3
From: Boise ID
So I got the radiator back tonight and put it back in the car no problem. I got ask the hoses hooked up and everything is great. But I'm not sure the fan shroud will be able to go in with the radiator already in. I'm looking for anything I can do to not pull the radiator again, had anyone replaced their shroud without taking the radiator out? What about from the bottom by removing the sway bar?
Miles
Miles
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 14
From: Airdrie Alberta
Not a fun job, I always have trouble with the shroud and a arms.
been a couple of times on my 73, this seemed to work for me....
after draining rad, removing hoses & Fan
Remove hood
Remove top 2 bolts on rad support on each side
Remove 2 bottom (underneath) rad support bolts & Brace to header panel
Remove support to Rad mounting clamps
swing rad support vertical
separate shroud and pull rad out , may have to tilt to clear lower neck and control arm
installation is reverse
new Dewitts perfect fit (really is)
Things all nice and loose, new rad slid in quite easily
Runs much cooler now, even with the 454
been a couple of times on my 73, this seemed to work for me....
after draining rad, removing hoses & Fan
Remove hood
Remove top 2 bolts on rad support on each side
Remove 2 bottom (underneath) rad support bolts & Brace to header panel
Remove support to Rad mounting clamps
swing rad support vertical
separate shroud and pull rad out , may have to tilt to clear lower neck and control arm
installation is reverse
new Dewitts perfect fit (really is)
Things all nice and loose, new rad slid in quite easily
Runs much cooler now, even with the 454
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,939
Likes: 199
From: Palm Bay Florida
here's what i did for the radiator and shroud install on my 72earlier this year when all apart,
bolt the frame, radiator and shroud all together as one unit outside the car,
then install as one unit, bit heavy n bulky, but easy done with 2 people,
saves the cursing an swearing trying to get the shroud past the A arms.
took 5min and it was all back in.
then only put the bottom side frame bolts in, then lift top towards the front, slip the bottom radiator hose on and clamp.
lower back down, install the rest of the side frame bolts, done.
bolt the frame, radiator and shroud all together as one unit outside the car,
then install as one unit, bit heavy n bulky, but easy done with 2 people,
saves the cursing an swearing trying to get the shroud past the A arms.
took 5min and it was all back in.
then only put the bottom side frame bolts in, then lift top towards the front, slip the bottom radiator hose on and clamp.
lower back down, install the rest of the side frame bolts, done.
I have been doing it that way for years you just need two people to do it.
Mark
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 6,400
Likes: 1,226
From: Tampa Florida
here's what i did for the radiator and shroud install on my 72earlier this year when all apart,
bolt the frame, radiator and shroud all together as one unit outside the car,
then install as one unit, bit heavy n bulky, but easy done with 2 people,
saves the cursing an swearing trying to get the shroud past the A arms.
took 5min and it was all back in.
then only put the bottom side frame bolts in, then lift top towards the front, slip the bottom radiator hose on and clamp.
lower back down, install the rest of the side frame bolts, done.
bolt the frame, radiator and shroud all together as one unit outside the car,
then install as one unit, bit heavy n bulky, but easy done with 2 people,
saves the cursing an swearing trying to get the shroud past the A arms.
took 5min and it was all back in.
then only put the bottom side frame bolts in, then lift top towards the front, slip the bottom radiator hose on and clamp.
lower back down, install the rest of the side frame bolts, done.
I just put a DeWitts in my '71 BB. With the hood off, I took the original one out by separating the parts, but when I installed the new one, I put the frame, radiator, and shroud together and installed it as one unit.
It was much easier this way and except for removing the hood, (my wife helped) I did this by myself.