jimbo8125

Some of you have indicated that you had to bend the brackets to get them to fit a champion radiator. I just don't want to bend them without knowing how others have done it. What type of bending did you do? Pictures? I am installing in a 77 L82 4 SP with air.
thanks
Jim

gungatim

it's been a while since I did mine, but IIRC, factory bracket with the rubber insert fit the rim/seam of the factory side tanks. the Champion, being aluminum, is not the same setup, so they tigg'd on a piece of square stock to mimic the factory lip.

I believe I had to bend mine out a little, and to the side a little (width was like 1/2" off).

I think I put in the radiator first, then used a long craftsman prybar to nudge the lower mounts carefully to get it to drop back in place properly so the uppers could go on...

just some good old persuasion, no need to get fancy. put the radiator in place and see where they need adjustment.

mine was a BB, so YMMV...hope that helps

wzschirnt

I put in an aluminum radiator similar to a Champion in my 74, replacing the factory brass one. Mounts were pretty close to where they needed to be. No 'big' moving of the factory mounts was needed. The biggest issue was getting the correct rubber inserts. There are apparently, long slot ones and short slot ones. Getting the ones that hold the radiator in securely was the deal. And making sure the metal edge of the mounts didn't get into the aluminum.

Good luck
walt z.

jimbo8125

the mounts seem to fit just looks like I need to trim the cushions to be square like the rad, has anyone done that a have it work. I have never sem different size cushions except the bottom is longer and different shape than the top.

78pace

Jimbo8125...did you get this mod done? I am in the process now and it seems that is all I have to do. Just trim the rubber. Square them up.....Thanks

jimvette999

The Be-Cool I bought had square stock bars as cushion inserts too. I had to use a razor blade to lengthen the channel in the rubber cushions. Grinding was ineffective and carefully excising the material out with a razor blade was the most effective. Dewitts does a much better job of creating a direct fit that reduces the installation effort, but there's a price to be paid for it. I would have been better off with a Champion or for what I paid, better off with a Dewitts. Live & Learn.

bazza77

I trimmed the bottom cushions to get one to fit on a 77 , but I also cut a piece of thin rubber mat that covered the whole support tray to lay the rad. on.

chrisviktorjakematt

just trim your existing rubber mounts to fit the shape of your radiator. I replace my stock 78 with a champion and it took about 5 minutes to trim the rubber to fit.

Jebbysan

I put a Champion in a 76' and that is what I did as well.....

Jebby