Railroadman

The trouble with the FSM is their drawings show the parts floating nicely in space, not crammed in and hard to get at like in real life!

What's got me stumped is 6 screws - 3 on each side - attaching the upper radiator support (shroud, if you prefer) to the lower. These take a 7mm socket, they are oriented horizontally, and are just inboard of the frame rails. I have two of the 3 on the passenger side out. The third is right along the frame and I can't fit a socket on it, probably a 7mm wrench will work when I get one. (I have a 6 and an 8....go figure)

Bigger problem will be driver's side, there is a big rubber block in the way which does not show on the FSM unless it's in a different section. Looks like it MIGHT cushion the hood brace when the hood is down. This thing blocks access to the screws on that side, and to add to the PITA I can't run an extension from outside the frame, it will have to be a 7mm combo wrench even after I get the rubber block out.

Anybody been there done that and have any magic advice? Or just break out the adult beverage and a new box of cuss words?

Thanks!

94z07fx3

The thin sheet metal clips those screws go into are cheap and sold in the HELP! aisle. From under the front of the car you can reach up into the shroud and use a flathead screwdriver to bend them off the screws. If you break one just replace it. When you reassemble the shroud reverse it so that the clips are on the other piece and the screws come from the inside out. Much easier to get them that way.

92ragtop

It's a PITA for sure. Patience and beer are required. You do need to remove some stuff from the drivers side to get at those screws. And once you get the shroud loose, it's also a PITA to get if off from around the AC lines.
When reinstalling, you don't need all 3 screws on each side. One or two will hold it just fine. Or, as said already, put them in from the opposite side.

Railroadman

Excellent advice - thanks!

And I had already decided they would not ALL be going back in after the work is done!

kimmer

I didn't put any of them back, that was over a year ago and no problems.

VetteMed

If you have a 9/32 wrench, that will work too.

Railroadman

You are right! Used a 9/32 socket on the last one and got it - thanks.

Removal is complete - a PITA but not the worst I ever tackled. Thanks to all for the advice!

1Asterisk

I did this a couple of months ago.

The passenger side is fairly easy with a wrench on the tough one to reach.

The driver's side is easier if you remove the air pump thingy on the lower driver's side that blocks the screws. It's easy to remove with just a few screws and some wires to unplug. Once it's out of the way you can get to the radiator screws like you did on the passenger side.

When I put the screws back I reversed the ones on the driver's side and left the passenger side like they were. I got all of mine back on with no major problems.

When you go to putting them back you can expect those little metal clips to move some, so be prepared to have to wiggle them back in place. This was on a 96....I'm guessing the 92 has the smog pump thing in the same place, but I dunno.