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Managed (eventually) to pull the rad and shroud form my '80' with 2 of us but I'm doubting the repaired rad will go back in the same way! I've seen several posts of cutting the shroud and fitting after the rad is in, but there's some difference as to whether it's cut top to bottom or side to side but I've never seen any pictures. Whats the best way?
Someone has had a but out the bottom to clear the fan pulley boss, but even after the rad was out was a tight squeeze to get it out with the rad mounting frame in situe. Yes I know, I've been told to remove the bonnet and the top 2 bolts each side on the support and push it forwards but I have a.c. rad and looks like I'll have to also remove the headlight actuators to get even a small bit of extra clearance. Surely it's much easier to cut but which way?
Last edited by trevbeadle; 01-17-2021 at 07:49 AM.
You need to put the shroud in the car before the radiator, put it in don't attach and move as far as you can get it to the engine over the fan. Then install your radiator between the shroud and radiator support, replace your upper radiator support brackets and then move the shroud in place.
You'll have a heck of a time trying to remove or replace the shroud with the radiator in place.
That's the way the rad came out as the shroud will not come out first. Had to rotate the rad lifting the pax side to clear the bottom hose outlet then rolling it backwards towards the engine, but still a real tight squeeze between the shroud and rad support. I was thinking there must be an easier way as I don't want to damage the re-cored rad putting it back that way in reverse.
Recommend you look in the 80 factory manual but older years, as you already know, you tilt the radiator support forward after removing side bolts and loosening bottom bolts.
Dont have 80 but you may be disappointed because my 79 was not very detailed but if you look at slide 16 I did make some notes on the picture I have air-conditioning as well but no air pump but I did have the air pump bracket there.
I have removed and reinstalled the radiator by myself many times on my '79. To remove I remove the fan blade, radiator, and shroud, in that order. To install it's the reverse - shroud, radiator, then fan.
On my 81 with AC but no smog pump, after unbolting shroud ( aux fan still installed) I just pulled it back over the water pump which left enough room to remove radiator after rolling the lower radiator outlet past the forward upper A-arm. Reversed the procedure going back in. As indicated above cardboard over radiator core (both sides) held in place with string. When radiator is in place, cut string and pull out cardboard.
If needed, just cut thru the bottom side of the shroud. While it is out, make a plate with four holes to reconnect the two sections after installation in the car. You can bolt it or you could just pop-rivet it together. I doubt anyone will ever see the rivet heads beneath the fan. If you have an A/C car, getting that shroud out and back in is a real PITA if you don't cut it.
01-17-2021, 07:47 AM
cutting rad shroud on an '80
