Can anyone offer any pointers about pulling out the radiator surround/support on my 80?
I've got a couple of rust holes appearing, and as we all know, this of course points to a gut-load more that I can't see! It needs to come right out for me to do a proper welded repair.

I'm sure it's not a quick job, and the size of the job doesn't really bother me, but my main question is whether or not this is a structural member or not...

Does it just "support the radiator" or is it bonded into the front panels?
I'm hoping its just a question of pulling the rad and then unbolting the support from the inner fenders. It's all so well packed in, in there, that it's not immediately obvious what to do..
Seems to be next-to-no info about this on the web.......
:cheers:

 

It is structural. The front end is held up in the front by it. I think if you can support the front end, it can be removed, repaired, and then replaced without damage to the front glass.

 

The radiator support is just bolted (not bonded) to the front. There are shims to adjust the fit of the support side to side. Yes it is a "structural" member in the sense that the side-to-side fit of the fenders is supported, as-well-as the front fascia (center support).

I also have a 1980. The bolts that hold the sides of the radiator support were rusted and some twisted off when I tried to remove them. As my radiator support was going to be replaced anyway, I just cut it out, rather than risk damage to the body trying to remove the remains of the rusted bolts. Give the bolts a good soak with some sort of rust buster penetrant - you might get lucky.

(ZIP etc. sells new bolt and shim kits)

New radiator supports are $$$, so if you can repair the old one you are in luck. Mine was too far gone. The design seems to trap water pretty well. :lol:

Access to a 1980 Assembly Instruction Manual (AIM) would be a help. Also, if you were planning any maintenance on the headlights/vacuum motors now would be a good time with the radiator support/AC out of the way.

Before removing the support I would mark its location relative to the body to aid reassembly.

 

Searching the forum shows that loads of people have removed and repaired/replaced it, but no-one goes into much detail about "how"

markdtn - - When you say "support" the front end, how do you mean? Make up some form of brace to put in there after the support is removed?
:confused:


[Modified by theoUK, 3:23 PM 2/13/2004]

 

Assembly manual is the next purchase, before I launch into this. I'm re-wiring the headlights too, so this is a big case of "while I'm at it"! admittedly quite an important one, too!

 

 

Yes, the radiator support lends some structural strength. However, there is
plenty more support in the front end. The bumper/cushion assembly bolts
hold the upper front corner of the fenders via the upper reinforcement.
Also, the nose reinforcement bar (in front of headlights) is directly supporting
the nose in the center (top of bumper assembly).

In my opinion, you should be OK to remove the radiator support - as long as
the front bumper brackets/assembly is left on. If you want to be sure, you
could use a ratcheting nylon tie-down. Loop one end around the TTop
center bar, and the other end through the headlight openings. DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN.
Just put enough pressure to keep it from moving much.

You must have seen my post - if searching for support repairs.
If not, look here:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=533389
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=536014

In the following post, yo ucan see the nose reinforcements. The one thing that
you will be taking out is the support bar from the bottom of the radiator support
up to the header reinforcement (rear of headlights). This does not support
the whole front end, but does keep the height of the hood surround in place.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=570484

Good luck - and take it slow. While in there, look at the body reinforcements.
You may not like what you see.

:seeya



[Modified by NHvette, 1:22 PM 2/13/2004]

 

 

Cheers guys for all the input..
Well its half one in the morning (UK time!) and I've just about had enough of the rewiring on the front lights. Whoever "wired up" my front lights for UK spec was a bloody useless vehicle electrician!
On the plus side, pulling everything out of the nose has given me a really good view of what's happening in there. I'm now quite happy to have a bash at pulling the rad. support out - although that's never gonna happen before the week is up -- too much headlight related business to atend to yet....
And NHvette, all of the body reinforcements (that I can currently see) look structurally sound, give or take the odd patch of surface rust flakes. Nothing that a wire brush and some paint can't take care of!
:seeya
:cheers:

 

Did my '80's coresupport when I owned it a few years ago. I had it done in less than 8hrs. It seems '78-'82 coresupports may be made out of thinner metal as it seems these years go bad more often than the older cars do.



[Modified by Paul Borowski, 6:39 PM 2/14/2004]

 

The replacement core supports I have seen are made of thinner metal for sure, even the flaked out 1/2 missing metal original weighed more than the replacement....but I drulled drain holes in the lower rear of the new unit to keep water out of it....no rust so far.....hehe....I win another round....

IF I have to replace it again....I will get a tig welded aluminum version....

GENE