Radiator Foam Seal
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Radiator Foam Seal
1975 Corvette removing the radiator. I have everything unhooked ready to come out. the problem i have is the foam seal kit. It is bonded to the radiator frame which i understand, but it is also bonded tight to the radiator. How do i separate the foam away from the radiator? is there a technique to do so? I do have a razor blade on a 20" rod. Is it possible to manipulate the razor on the rod between the foam and radiator? There is no room to play with at all. Do i spray the foam with something like PB blaster to loosen the adhesive? Any help would be appreciative.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2014
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From: Central UT
Hi, always a curve ball with our C3s! The foam seals are normally only sticky on one side. I'm thinking one of two things - over time the water, dust, gunk, etc. just caused the foam to stick to the radiator and it will break the bond once you begin moving things around; or a PO sealed it on purpose. A couple of thoughts:
* Have you tried accessing the area from underneath? On my '68 there is some room to go from under the car to reach some of these areas
* You can try a long screwdriver to try and break the bond after removing the radiator mounts, hoses, etc. With everything loose there is room to move the radiator a bit, but....
* Don't try to remove a radiator with the fan, fan clutch, shroud, and the water pump in place. If you're trying to save the old radiator, there isn't really enough room to take it out without damage with those parts still installed; when you put a new radiator in there is much less chance of doing damage to it with that stuff out of the way. Not that hard to remove the stuff anyway.
* When you remove/replace a radiator, cover the front of the radiator with a full 'sheet' of cardboard - this will prevent damage while you're working to get it in/out. I actually cover both sides.
* When you're ready to re-seal it all, you can get all the foam you need at this link. Same stuff as the 'kits', but a lot more for the $: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Take your time, have fun, and get to know your '75 a bit better. Paul
* Have you tried accessing the area from underneath? On my '68 there is some room to go from under the car to reach some of these areas
* You can try a long screwdriver to try and break the bond after removing the radiator mounts, hoses, etc. With everything loose there is room to move the radiator a bit, but....
* Don't try to remove a radiator with the fan, fan clutch, shroud, and the water pump in place. If you're trying to save the old radiator, there isn't really enough room to take it out without damage with those parts still installed; when you put a new radiator in there is much less chance of doing damage to it with that stuff out of the way. Not that hard to remove the stuff anyway.
* When you remove/replace a radiator, cover the front of the radiator with a full 'sheet' of cardboard - this will prevent damage while you're working to get it in/out. I actually cover both sides.
* When you're ready to re-seal it all, you can get all the foam you need at this link. Same stuff as the 'kits', but a lot more for the $: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Take your time, have fun, and get to know your '75 a bit better. Paul
Last edited by Hopper12; Mar 9, 2021 at 12:18 PM.
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Thanks for the advise. I do have everything removed fan water pump hoses you name it. it is getting new radiator pump and all. I have been whittling away on it. Never seen foam bonded to the radiator as this one is. You are right take time and have fun .Thank You
