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This weekend I replaced the radiator in my 71. Lots of feedback here on removal of the core support for this job, but after finishing I'm wondering if anyone has done a swap without taking the core support out?
Having done it this way well over a decade ago on my 69 300/automatic and reading a few threads here I advised my buddy boatguy we should do it "core support out."
Unless there is something I missed on a stick shift non-ac '71 nothing could have been easier than leaving the support in place...
Hi,
I recently put the radiator and shroud back in my 71 with the hood and core-support in place.
It's an aluminum radiator and steel shroud…. maybe a copper radiator/fiberglass shroud/a/c is more difficult?
I had the fan and fan clutch off the front of the engine. I also had the alternator off.
I put the shroud in place and slid it as far backward as possible.
I protected the core of the radiator with cardboard on each side and slid the radiator in place and installed the upper bracket.
Then slid the shroud forward and attached it's brackets.
Finally put the clutch and fan back in place.
Does the degree of 'possible' depend on the radiator and shroud configuration?
Regards,
Alan
Thanks so much, Alan - when I eventually have to do this again I may try it your way. My replacement was an aluminum Dewitt's, and the shroud was steel as well. After some time and a few hours of sleep I think I may have just had Murphy say a curse over those support bolts. I ended up replacing half of them due to thread wear and general condition. Some did not want to come out, and others did not want to come back in.
But it's done and running great! Thanks for your reply.
Hi Jarrett,
From what I see in your picture I think you can do it with the core support in place.
I leave the 2 lower shroud supports off the shroud until it's in place and also rotate the shroud as it's slipped in place.
I do it by myself which takes some extra planning, but with 2 people it should be fairly straight forward.
Protect you radiator with cardboard until your almost finished.
Regards,
Alan
The radiator sitting in the 2 core support brackets.
I changed the radiator leaving the core support in place with no issues. Its a '79. I read that is impossible on the earlier models, but Alan says otherwise.
I got the old radiator out of my 72 w/air conditioning without removing the core support.
Of course, then I determined I needed a new core support, so out came the old one and in went the new one before installing the radiator. Hood was off.
Radiator swap - Core support??
