Tried removing radiator support....
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,435
Likes: 0
From: largo florida
Tried removing radiator support....
I was pulling the engine today, and figured taking the radiator support out along with the radiator and shroud as one package would be the best approach for getting the extra room needed for the engine and trans to come out. Looked simple enough, I think 6 bolts total. One problem though, there is some cover on the passenger's side that covers one of the bolts up! The drivers side doesnt have this cover, only the passengers. My question is, why is it there, and why only on one side. Also, how do you get to the covered up bolt to get the support off? I took the radiator and shroud out and left the support alone and barely had enough room to get the engine out.
The top bolt is behind this cover, I think the bolt underneath the cover iis another one of the mounting bolts for the support
The top bolt is behind this cover, I think the bolt underneath the cover iis another one of the mounting bolts for the support
Last edited by lostpatrolman; Nov 27, 2004 at 09:16 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
From: Orlando Florida
can you turn the picture 90deg. looks like the two bolts showing are for the sway bar mount. but the pic is a bit confusing.
i just removed my support thursday, all the mounting bolts were removed from inside the fender wells..
when i have time i will post what was left of my old support.
R
i just removed my support thursday, all the mounting bolts were removed from inside the fender wells..
when i have time i will post what was left of my old support.
R
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,435
Likes: 0
From: largo florida
The top pic is the right orientation, the bottom is a few degrees off. These pics are of the passenger side inner wheel well taken from the outside. You can see a little of the tire in the top pic. those 2 bolts you see above the circled area are the bolts for the hood hinges.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
(I think) i understand fully just took mine out last week... what year is yours mine is a 77... you can not see the bolt you need to remove ...but you can feel it... get on your back under the car and feel the frame brackets inside the fender well ...between the fenderwell and engine ...and you slip a socket on a ratchet into the spot.....
Last edited by bobs77vet; Nov 27, 2004 at 09:27 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,435
Likes: 0
From: largo florida
The car is a 69. THis is the bolt that i am having problems with. There is no way of getting at it from outside of the wheel well becuase that cover totally covers it. There is this oval hole, and I can barely feel the bolt with my finger if I try, but half of the head is blocked by that cover.
Oh yeah, is this oval hole bubbas handywork?
Oh yeah, is this oval hole bubbas handywork?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
scratch my idea..... the one i'm talking about is at the bottom...i guess you can always drill a hole with a hole saw...may 1" or so through the fiber glass
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Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,608
Likes: 3
From: Canberra AUSTRALIA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
It looks to me like it was some sort of repair done. I just looked at mine and the piece that runs horizontally looks like it was patched on to provide some sort of bracing. I imagine at some point in time your car had a patch done because of a collision or the inner fender was loose and needed to be braced.
If you want to keep it then get a hole saw and drill a 1"-2" hole towards the top of that brace. the bolt is right near the top (but obviuosly hidden right now).
The bolt is where you marked the red dot.
Cheers,
Pete
If you want to keep it then get a hole saw and drill a 1"-2" hole towards the top of that brace. the bolt is right near the top (but obviuosly hidden right now).
The bolt is where you marked the red dot.
Cheers,
Pete
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 870
Likes: 0
From: trumbull ct
Originally Posted by lostpatrolman
I was pulling the engine today, and figured taking the radiator support out along with the radiator and shroud as one package would be the best approach for getting the extra room needed for the engine and trans to come out. Looked simple enough, I think 6 bolts total. One problem though, there is some cover on the passenger's side that covers one of the bolts up! The drivers side doesnt have this cover, only the passengers. My question is, why is it there, and why only on one side. Also, how do you get to the covered up bolt to get the support off? I took the radiator and shroud out and left the support alone and barely had enough room to get the engine out.
The top bolt is behind this cover, I think the bolt underneath the cover iis another one of the mounting bolts for the support
The top bolt is behind this cover, I think the bolt underneath the cover iis another one of the mounting bolts for the support
George
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 763
Likes: 42
From: Detroit MI
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
That cover is for the A/C Lines. I had to cut mine out to pull the support. I used a dremel tool and simply glassed it back in after I was done. Just try and duplicate the factory job when you are all done.
I don't know of a way to get to those bolts without removing this piece.
I don't know of a way to get to those bolts without removing this piece.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,160
Likes: 3
From: Greensboro NC
Both my 69 and my current 73 have the same support and I pulled the rad support on both. First slip an open end wrench in and hold the head then remove nut on the inside. Slightly pry support away and remove bolt.
I have no idea what that thing is for and looks like some people have removed it without ill effect. Also oval hole is for AC lines.
I have no idea what that thing is for and looks like some people have removed it without ill effect. Also oval hole is for AC lines.
Last edited by micks69; Nov 27, 2004 at 10:54 PM.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 553
Likes: 1
From: Valparaiso IN
Originally Posted by gearheaddroppings
That cover is for the A/C Lines. I had to cut mine out to pull the support. I used a dremel tool and simply glassed it back in after I was done. Just try and duplicate the factory job when you are all done.
I don't know of a way to get to those bolts without removing this piece.
I don't know of a way to get to those bolts without removing this piece.
I just did this on Wednesday.. It covers my AC lines and I made 2 clean cuts so that I could glass it back in with little or no mods..
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,435
Likes: 0
From: largo florida
Thanks for all the info guys. This one really confused me. I couldnt believe that the factory would hide a bolt like that. Oh yeah, it is factory A/C
Last edited by lostpatrolman; Nov 28, 2004 at 01:32 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,038
Likes: 0
From: Grants Pass Oregon
Glass hump
Yours apears to have been opened up and put back before, Theres no restoring to origonal realy. The bolt actually goes through a Long strip of molded metal then through the fiberglass fender well and into the nut thats welded inside the lip of the core support. I think your best bet is a straight line cut up either side with a dremil. Clean cut one side and grove the other side then just bend it back. it should be easy to refasten that way, a little JB weild, applied with a popsicle stick.
Just a few Ideas.
Just a few Ideas.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 856
Likes: 2
From: Tyler Texas
Micks69: Your home page for the 1973 has two good photos depicting the radiator suppport still installed with the rad. removed. Clearly shows where the lower section of rad. support is attached to the front fender area.
Do you have any updated photos of your 73 after all your work was done on the front end, engine, and interior?
Do you have any updated photos of your 73 after all your work was done on the front end, engine, and interior?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,160
Likes: 3
From: Greensboro NC
Originally Posted by Patrick73
Micks69: Your home page for the 1973 has two good photos depicting the radiator suppport still installed with the rad. removed. Clearly shows where the lower section of rad. support is attached to the front fender area.
Do you have any updated photos of your 73 after all your work was done on the front end, engine, and interior?
Do you have any updated photos of your 73 after all your work was done on the front end, engine, and interior?
