73 radiator replacement help!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 1
From: Shore NJ
73 radiator replacement help!
Guys, I'm in the middle of replacing the radiator on my 73 small block with air conditioning. Here's what Iv'e done: drained the radiator, hoses are off, removed the fan, top brackets off, top center bracket unbolted, and trans lines disconnected. The shroud is giving me fits, I removed the extension and its unbolted (two nuts) at the bottom, and it will move but it has the two molded inward spots for the upper control arm bolts and thats what is stopping the shroud. Did I miss something here? I read the GM book and it said to slide the shroud over the pulley I see the six bolts holding the core support and bolted to that is the condensor. Looks like the only move I have is to remove the six bolts and move everything forward to remove the core.........does this sound correct or is there a better way?? :confused:
[Modified by 73jst4fun, 1:54 AM 6/28/2003]
[Modified by 73jst4fun, 1:54 AM 6/28/2003]
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 68
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From: Athens Ga
Re: 73 radiator replacement help! (73jst4fun)
Wish I could help you here but I did the "wrong" method. When removing the shroud I ran into the same problem.. wouldn't budge even when it was completely unbolted! So I took out a hacksaw and cut it in half even THEN it would not come out.. so I got pissed and yanked on it.. which in turn ripped a hole in my radiator (oh well was needing a new one anyhow).. take your time with it! :eek: :skep:
Intermediate
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Caledon Ontario
Re: 73 radiator replacement help! (DJ Serotonin)
I removed all of the rad support frame bolts and moved it forward. It took a fair amount of persuasion, but eventually, the shroud could be pulled clear of the control arm hardware.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 1
From: Shore NJ
Re: 73 radiator replacement help! (jims73)
Thanks for that info Jim, I was looking at that way to go, or just pull the entire unit with the bracket and condensor attached. Just wondering what part of the air cond. is attached there and what needs to be disconnected? I'll try one of these ways tomorrow morning, unfortunately I have no extra hands to help me with this so it's going to be fun........ :eek:
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 176
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From: jacksonville florida
Re: 73 radiator replacement help! (73jst4fun)
I just finished replacing the radiator in my 73,someone before me had cut the bottom of the shroud in half and all I had to do was squeeze it together and it came right out,I did not replace it because I installed a Griffin rad and dual spals :cheers:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,098
Likes: 378
From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
Re: 73 radiator replacement help! (73jst4fun)
Two methods here:
My recommendation is to remove the headlight actuators. But first tape a sheet of cardboard over A/C condenser. Unbolt actuators and disconnect rod. Next unbolt/disconnect A/C condenser and lean/pull everything up forward – this should give the shroud enough room to clear upper A-arm bolts. Some forum members state that they remove the radiator core separately before the shroud but I haven’t been able to verify this.
Second method:
I just replaced my condenser/support/radiator/shroud as one big sandwich. Jacked the front wheels up and placed lower A-arms on stands. This allowed me to remove the top A-arm nuts off studs. Very important here to tape the alignment shims together as they come off the studs and mark them for replacement as originally found. Now I taped/tied the top A-arms out of the way and worked my sandwich in. Back and forth then side to side it slowly fit in. Did it all by myself. Removing the front tires did help bolting the support back up. But you can do this when removing the headlight actuators too.
:seeya
My recommendation is to remove the headlight actuators. But first tape a sheet of cardboard over A/C condenser. Unbolt actuators and disconnect rod. Next unbolt/disconnect A/C condenser and lean/pull everything up forward – this should give the shroud enough room to clear upper A-arm bolts. Some forum members state that they remove the radiator core separately before the shroud but I haven’t been able to verify this.
Second method:
I just replaced my condenser/support/radiator/shroud as one big sandwich. Jacked the front wheels up and placed lower A-arms on stands. This allowed me to remove the top A-arm nuts off studs. Very important here to tape the alignment shims together as they come off the studs and mark them for replacement as originally found. Now I taped/tied the top A-arms out of the way and worked my sandwich in. Back and forth then side to side it slowly fit in. Did it all by myself. Removing the front tires did help bolting the support back up. But you can do this when removing the headlight actuators too.
:seeya
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 1
From: Shore NJ
Re: 73 radiator replacement help! (cardo0)
Thanks cardoO for the information, what about the air cond. lines to the condensor? how did you disconnect those, my system is still charged and works fine....... :flag
Pro
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 531
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Re: 73 radiator replacement help! (73jst4fun)
I cut mine in the middle on the bottom. Then you can squeeze the bottom together to get it past the control arms. I doubt that I could get mine out with the air attached if I moved the rad support, but there might be enough room. This is like a two man job no matter what. Good luck.
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Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,683
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From: Waterford Mi
Re: 73 radiator replacement help! (Racer16k)
I have replaced mine without disconecting the A/C lines. Removing the headlamp actuators gives you enough room to move the support and condencer to pull the shroud out. I also removed the fan.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 11
From: Schaumburg IL
Re: 73 radiator replacement help! (redwingvette)
It is possible on a 73 to get the mess out without taking the headlight assemblies out, but makes it harder. There is NO REAL EASY WAY.
1, Remove the upper bracket bolts and lower shroud bolts.
2. Remove the upper, lower rad. hoses and the trans cooling lines if you have them.
3 Remove the 3 bolts on each side of the rad. frame. Put a piece of cardboard over the condensor coils. Pull it as far forward as you can.
4. Pull the radiator out as there should now be enough space to do so. You will have to tilt it down towards the driver side to help clear the lower rad. pipe. After the rad. is out take the shroud out.
Some people have taken the shroud and rad. out as a assembly but I have not made that work. This is really a two person job due to the angles you have to be at to get the rad. and shroud out.
Install the shroud, then the radiator and hook everything up again. Or decide do I want to do this again or should I scrap the shroud and engine fan and add electric fans?
Good luck - oh wear mechanix gloves as those damn radiator fins are sharp.
1, Remove the upper bracket bolts and lower shroud bolts.
2. Remove the upper, lower rad. hoses and the trans cooling lines if you have them.
3 Remove the 3 bolts on each side of the rad. frame. Put a piece of cardboard over the condensor coils. Pull it as far forward as you can.
4. Pull the radiator out as there should now be enough space to do so. You will have to tilt it down towards the driver side to help clear the lower rad. pipe. After the rad. is out take the shroud out.
Some people have taken the shroud and rad. out as a assembly but I have not made that work. This is really a two person job due to the angles you have to be at to get the rad. and shroud out.
Install the shroud, then the radiator and hook everything up again. Or decide do I want to do this again or should I scrap the shroud and engine fan and add electric fans?
Good luck - oh wear mechanix gloves as those damn radiator fins are sharp.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,098
Likes: 378
From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
Re: 73 radiator replacement help! (73jst4fun)
:yesnod: I think there was plenty of room on the fender/hose passageway to pull core support while condenser is fully unbolted and pulled forward (with the actuators out of course). You may want to duct tape the A/C hose & tubing tight against the fender. Now my core support was rotted and had to come out for replacement but you may only need to remove the radiator and then shroud. :thumbs:
If you want to disconnect the lines you’ll need to have the old freon removed and need to contact an A/C shop, as I’ve never done this. Mine was empty at purchase. :mad
If you want to disconnect the lines you’ll need to have the old freon removed and need to contact an A/C shop, as I’ve never done this. Mine was empty at purchase. :mad
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 1
From: Shore NJ
Re: 73 radiator replacement help! (cardo0)
Thanks CardoO and all the others for the advise, mission accomplished! the easiest way was to remove the headlight actuators (one nut was stripped, time killer) and dont forget the cardboard to protect the fins , as CardoO stated this gives you plenty of room to tilt everything forward, giving me room to remove the shroud and radiator. You need the additional room so you can reinstall everything and prep the area before (I'm really picky about things I clean, do some touch up in the area, replace some bolts with stainless, paint etc...) I could not see another way of doing this especially with air cond., even the GM books dont mention removing the acuators. By far the hardest part of the job was removing the shroud, I have a very early 73 and I'm finding that alot of parts are from a 72 (encluding the shroud) so I have to reference the 72 and 73 assembly manuals and they are not always right!
Thanks again everyone..... :thumbs: to all
[Modified by 73jst4fun, 11:55 AM 6/29/2003]
Thanks again everyone..... :thumbs: to all
[Modified by 73jst4fun, 11:55 AM 6/29/2003]
