Hello fellow Vetters,

Looking for feedback from anyone who has replaced the radiator support in their C3 Vette - especially later years 79-82

Over the weekend I began work on the rebuild of my front suspension & steering. In advance, I had identified rust on the radiator support. This had me planning to pull and assess it at the same time (more room for the suspension work).

Assessment: While the support has more damage than I hoped for, it is repairable. Welding patches in and applying rust inhibitors will maintain original structural integrity and easily outlast my remaining time behind the wheel. It wouldn't look perfect but my target isn't a concourse level restoration and looks aren't critical in such a hidden area. However, I'm not all that fast with this type work and it's not my favorite either. To replace or repair . . . . . . ?

Contemplation: Most of the posts I found describe substantial fitment issues with replacements. None give details on duration or final solutions, and none list sources or brands. However, fitment issues appear to be common and modification appears to be necessary. Hate to spend $350-450 with shipping on a replacement and then spend substantial time making the replacement fit. On the flip side, repairs will take at least 10-15 hours but have a minimal budget impact at $20-25$. Hmmmm . . . . .

Spending the money on a replacement makes sense if it drops right in saving me time to put towards another more pleasurable task. However, if the time and hassle of a replacement is even half of repairing what I have, I might as well save the $ for another more visible need (which there are plenty).

Anyone faced with a similar choice?
What did you do and would you do that again?

Background for those interested: I grew up in a family with Vetts 70s on up. Finally bought my first vette last September. Aside from a repaint from black to red, and a partial smog removal, she's a mostly stock 1980 with the L48 engine, manual 4 speed, and A/C. She has seen more than her share of neglect and a little misguided/incomplete mechanical work, but nothing serious. She will never be a show queen which is fine by me. Once I remedy some of the neglect issues, she will be the fun blue jean type toy friend my wife and I enjoy.

 

Maybe consider taking it to a body shop and let them do the work, at least you won't have fitment problems, and it will still be original to the car

 

Well how much do you have to fix any pictures
Do you own a welder

 

Sorry, no pictures yet, but the real rot is limited to the flat "back side" panel of both lower corners for those familiar with the part.
Damage on the drivers side is about the size of a half dollar which is a simple repair. The passenger side is bigger, roughly 4 square inches total, wrapping up the corner into the leg, but still limited primarily to the flat panel.
I own a welder but haven't ever tried to repair this type of stamped steel part. Usually deal with thicker more forgiving pieces.
Hadn't considered asking a body shop. Pretty sure they would charge more than the replacement, but it would fit without hassles as long as they understood where the critical interfaces are. Originality isn't really a concern, just trying to decide where to spend time versus money.
After more consideration, I'm going to prep the part for the repair. An hour invested will help me make sure I'm not missing anything bigger than I've seen and from there I suspect the best path will be clear..
Thanks, appreciate the thoughts so far.

 

Sounds like mine was a bit worse than yours.I choose to weld in patch panels none the less. Thin stuff to be certain, but very weldable. After your rad and air-con condenser are back in. No one can see the repair. Unless they are under the car. in which case I'd give em a boot for being under my car!

 

I would not enjoy the fitting issues especially the assembly and reassembly part of it........ I vote for repair

 

Repair if possible is the path I take, nothing fits better than OEM.

 

and the body shops don't have fitment issues cuz it fits good enough for them...

 

As many of these cars are sitting in junkyards......locate a good used one.......unless you like welding and painting......

Jebby

 

Replace it and be done with it. And have confidence you will never revisit that issue again.

 

If you decide to buy a new radiator support, I recommend Coffman Corvette, their supports are made in America. I purchased a 1970 support, the fitment was perfect.

 

I would just repair it. But I don't mind cuting and welding. Easy peasy and you can then paint it inside and outside for protection--- it'll last a long time.
If I remember right (who knows anymore?) -- I believe I added drain holes on mine when I took it out cleaned it up and painted it.

 

Thanks for the feedback forum!
FYI: Prepping my radiator support today revealed more internal rot that I originally identified. Areas that looked strong on the outside had decayed on the inside (without external blistering or bubbling). Through a little more research I had found a local business that sells new supports a little cheaper than the big online sites, and without shipping fees (Houston, TX). They are backordered now, but they will have more next week. So, it looks like I'll be buying new, after I see one in person.
Thanks for the feedback from those who commented. I hoped to get info on the brands others used, and how they fit. Seems this isn't as common as I suspected. I will update once I've progressed, but that will be after I finish the front end refurb (month+).