radiator support
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Manchester NH
radiator support
Ok, let's try this again. I guess no one responded to my thread about aftermarket seats because you are all bored with the topic (for which I wouldn't blame you!), or no one has ever installed aftermarket seats in a C3 (which I can't believe). Another sore spot in my 76 is the radiator support. It's quite rusty to the point of the corners being eaten away. Last winter I had the support out of the car as I was puttin' in a 330HP crate motor and had lots of things to do. I was ignorant to the fact that this support is a major contributor to the structural integrety of the front end. Well, the nose drooped to the point where the spoiler under the nose actually touched the driver's tire (can't really tell by looking at the nose). My question is twofold. 1st, has anyone had any luck patching the support with a welder or is it just best to fork over $300 to Ecklers for a replacement? And 2nd, what's the best way to correct the droop (I'll admit I am real ignorant about body structure issues)? 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,077
Likes: 0
From: westmoreland N.H.
core support
flat black, i just pulled my motor to re build, and pulled the core support to repaint. it is rusted in the lower corners ,and decided to just replace it with one from corvette central. one thing to think about . are you going to keep the car. if you are ,replace. if only for awile,or selling soon, put the orig one back in. the support that i got from corvette central was dead on correct. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,038
Likes: 0
From: Grants Pass Oregon
Core support
You can fix them , I've welded up two. But to tell you the truth , check Ebay, this last one I'm doing I baught one from a junk yard in Detroit , there are literaly thousands of these cars in junk yards up there. And the one I got is allmost perfect, for $75.00. The problem I found with welding them up is that the metal gets realy thin because the Core support is a two piece affair thats welded togather front to back allready and it tends to collect and hold water so they rust out from the inside.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
I replaced the bottom section of mine with perforated angle steel.
It came out OK - but was more than a couple hours work.
Actually, I still need to buy a new lower bracket and weld it on,
$75 is worth not dealing with it.
It came out OK - but was more than a couple hours work.
Actually, I still need to buy a new lower bracket and weld it on,
$75 is worth not dealing with it.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From: South MS
First go here------>http://forums.corvetteforum.com/search.php?
Then type in seats, or radiator support, or whatever.
Then type in seats, or radiator support, or whatever.
