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Anyone replace 68 lower radiator U brackets?

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Old May 6, 2022 | 11:13 AM
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Default Anyone replace 68 lower radiator U brackets?

Lower radiator U brackets were rusted, so I got new cushions and brackets. Are the lower ones welded on and has anyone replaced them without having to weld the new ones on. (pop rivet, round head bolt, ect ) I have a welder, but I'm just a hobby welder and the metal on the angle piece it mounts to is pretty thin. I don't want to mess up an L88 rad support that's in really good shape except for the lower brackets.
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Old May 7, 2022 | 07:08 AM
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If you dont want to ruin it by drilling holes to mount the brackets you can pull the support and have it professionally done. You can also buy a used big block or small block auto support. I bought one 2 years ago pretty cheap. They bolt in very easily. 68 is just a one year only issue as usual. There was one in The for sale section last winter. It might still be around
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Old May 7, 2022 | 09:46 AM
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Found they are just held with 2 spot welds ( 1 back and 1 bottom ), so light drilling - air chisel and they're off. I got 1/4 20 stainless button heads and nylok nuts, so one in each spot weld position should do the trick I think since the 1/4 20's should be much stronger than a couple spot welds and the new cushions will protect the radiator from the button heads.
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Old May 7, 2022 | 10:05 AM
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Originally Posted by Rescue Rogers
If you dont want to ruin it by drilling holes to mount the brackets you can pull the support and have it professionally done. You can also buy a used big block or small block auto support. I bought one 2 years ago pretty cheap. They bolt in very easily. 68 is just a one year only issue as usual. There was one in The for sale section last winter. It might still be around
The whole rad support is out due to a retro roller cam swap, so it should be easy enough to do. I didn't realize till I hit it with a wire wheel it was just two spot welds. Not too worried about drilling holes in it since no one will ever see it anyway, just wasn't aware if there was a better option anyone had used.
Just one more thing on the " well while it's apart " to do list.
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Old May 7, 2022 | 10:17 AM
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advantage of bolted-in. your new rad wants to be 1/2 inch higher, lower or off to one side. now it is doable.
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Old May 7, 2022 | 10:56 AM
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Originally Posted by derekderek
advantage of bolted-in. your new rad wants to be 1/2 inch higher, lower or off to one side. now it is doable.
Very true. It was originally an L71 car with transistor ignition so it has the big radiator, so I'm just sticking with the stock radiator and position for now, but if I go aftermarket in the future it will help for sure.
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