73 Radiator Removal
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 272
Likes: 3
From: Marion Ia
73 Radiator Removal
getting ready to pull the engine out so I can clean it up and rebuild anything that needs it. I know the heads are on the list, it's pulling oil past the valves. started to pull the radiator tonight by the directions in my Haynes. It says to hang the shroud over the fan assembly and the pull the radiator up. Unless I missed something there is no way to get the shroud far enough forward. It is hitting on the upper control arm assembly. Anyone have a quick and easy way or do I need to pull the whole support?
Thanks
Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,577
Likes: 2
From: Long Island New York
You can unbolt the the support and push it slightly forward towards the nose of the car and that should give you enough room to lift the radiator out. If it was me I'd pull the support as well and clean it up and check it for rust. Having it out will give more working room under the hood as well. Pulled mine when I did this and cleaned it all up with a wire wheel on a drill to get all the surface rust off the lower portion and then I por15'd the whole thing to make it look nice and prevent any further rust from coming back. 
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,685
Likes: 202
From: Waterford Mi
Throw the manual off to the corner. To get the rad out of a 73 you will need to unbolt the support from inside the wheel wells, 3 bolts each side. Then the rad will have to move toward the front of the car, I recommend pulling the hood off. If you have A/C then you will need to remove the headlamp vacuum cans to get enough room. I use a nylon strap attached to the rad support and something in front of the car to pull the rad support as far forward as it will go. Even then it will take some coercion to get the shroud to come out. Lift the driver’s side up and rolling it out past the a-arms. Once the fan shroud is out you will be able to remove the lower rad hose. Don't forget to put it back on before you put the fan shroud back in when you’re done. I have had to do this job at least 4 times since I have owned the car and it aint fun.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Originally Posted by Petes73
getting ready to pull the engine out so I can clean it up and rebuild anything that needs it. I know the heads are on the list, it's pulling oil past the valves. started to pull the radiator tonight by the directions in my Haynes. It says to hang the shroud over the fan assembly and the pull the radiator up. Unless I missed something there is no way to get the shroud far enough forward. It is hitting on the upper control arm assembly. Anyone have a quick and easy way or do I need to pull the whole support?
Thanks
Thanks
just did it two weeks ago.....the radiator slips in between the shroud and core support
[IMG]
[/IMG] and now the radiator slips in/out
[IMG]
[/IMG]edit: the only thing holding the radiator in is those red brackets in my photos...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,783
Likes: 2
From: Engineers do it better.
Originally Posted by redwingvette
Throw the manual off to the corner. To get the rad out of a 73 you will need to unbolt the support from inside the wheel wells, 3 bolts each side. Then the rad will have to move toward the front of the car, ...
I did 2 cam jobs in the car. Spent 50% of my time trying to get the freaking rad out.... 
Good Luck
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 0
From: Melbourne Australia
Done this same job myself on the weekend, Pulled the hood,pulled the fan,un did the three bolts in either wheel well and the three underneath and pulled out the Support\Radiator\Shroud in one hit.
About half an hour of work with a mate
About half an hour of work with a mate
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,347
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From: Melbourne Australia
Originally Posted by 81' Corvette Guy
Damn..sounds good..squirrel..what happend to the nuts?? Joe!
Thanks to a few pointers from Chuck Gongloff and a few other guy's that said it's best pulled as a single unit Nuts, got lopped off by a Mod
Last edited by Secret Squirrel; Jan 25, 2005 at 03:00 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 1
From: Shore NJ
Originally Posted by bobs77vet
just did it two weeks ago.....the radiator slips in between the shroud and core support
[IMG][/IMG]
and now the radiator slips in/out
[IMG][/IMG]
edit: the only thing holding the radiator in is those red brackets in my photos...
[IMG]
[/IMG] and now the radiator slips in/out
[IMG]
[/IMG]edit: the only thing holding the radiator in is those red brackets in my photos...
... I've done this twice, you can just loosen the lower bolts on the support and pivot everything forward, removing the acuators gives you more room with a/c and condensor, get some PB on those nuts and bolts, the shroud is the killer here, once out it's a pretty simple twist and angle the rest out. Some folks even cut the shroud in two pieces which is not a good idea. Install new seals for the shroud and you can grind the shroud alittle so the lower hose is not pinched. It's not a bad job with a helper but it can be no fun by your self....
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 21,457
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From: Massillon,Ohio USA
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Originally Posted by joe73vette
I found it easier to remove the core support, radiator and shroud as an assembly. I did have to remove the headlight actuators to prevent damage to the A/C condenser. Joe
Just did this to my '75 when pulling/installing the motor
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
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From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
[QUOTE=73jst4fun]Maybe true for a 77 Bob but a 73 is a differant animal... ... QUOTE]
sorry to misinform....i guess we almost need disclaimers...something like " based on what i know from working on my 77...."
... QUOTE]sorry to misinform....i guess we almost need disclaimers...something like " based on what i know from working on my 77...."
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 1
From: Shore NJ
[QUOTE=bobs77vet]
Bob, you always give very informative information on all your posts......just our shrouds are alittle differant and the 73's is a pita.........did my buddies 77 2 years ago his radiator/shroud were differant and easier to remove, "based on what I remember" 
Us shore guys stick together...
Originally Posted by 73jst4fun
Maybe true for a 77 Bob but a 73 is a differant animal... ... QUOTE]
sorry to misinform....i guess we almost need disclaimers...something like " based on what i know from working on my 77...."
... QUOTE]sorry to misinform....i guess we almost need disclaimers...something like " based on what i know from working on my 77...."
Us shore guys stick together...
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Originally Posted by 73jst4fun
Us shore guys stick together...
we need to get together for some of the local carshows/cruise ins this summer ....we should put together a Shore contingent of the corvette forum....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,161
Likes: 0
From: pr, frederick md.
Originally Posted by 81' Corvette Guy
Damn..sounds good..squirrel..what happend to the nuts?? Joe!
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 1
From: Shore NJ
Originally Posted by bobs77vet
we need to get together for some of the local carshows/cruise ins this summer ....we should put together a Shore contingent of the corvette forum....
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Originally Posted by 73jst4fun
Sounds like a great idea to me, I usually go to the Englishtown, Smithville corvette shows every year and some of the local car shows, I meet up with Gordonm and we usually have alot of laughs....
count me in when it gets closer we will talk....
