champion radiators bracket mods
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 160
Likes: 25
From: Prior Lake Minnesota
champion radiators bracket mods
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
thanks
Jim
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,222
Likes: 93
From: shelbyville West Michigan
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
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
Racer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 297
Likes: 19
From: arlington TX
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.
Good luck
walt z.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 160
Likes: 25
From: Prior Lake Minnesota
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.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 854
Likes: 7
From: dudley ma
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
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,431
Likes: 52
From: Florida
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.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,176
Likes: 633
From: perth western australia
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.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 90
Likes: 9
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.
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