Bottom Radiator Bracket??

tdubis · November 19th, 2008, 11:50 AM

Hey guys-

New to the forum, I was installing my new front bumper the other
day and could not get it lined up correctly. Then I noticed what looks like a crossmember under the radiator, was cracked on one side. I noticed that the space b/t the fender and door was awfully close and figured it was simply the fender brackets. Is this a part that can be replaced?? If so, is it a bolt on part or welded to the frame rails?? Thanks for the help!!

Oldsguy · November 19th, 2008, 11:57 AM

Year and model of car would help us.

tdubis · November 19th, 2008, 12:16 PM

Sorry...1971 Cutlass Supreme w/455.

Thanks!

Eric Anderson · November 19th, 2008, 01:42 PM

It sounds like your core support. This bolts to the frame , they often rot out esp. on the battery side. The fender also bolts to this and if it is sagging will cause a problem with the door gap. Its not too hard to find a good one, you have to tear the whole front clip off to replace though. Good luck with it.

Bluevista · November 19th, 2008, 02:43 PM

Yeah, the crossmember is under the engine, hope it isn't that.
There shouldn't be anything under the radiator except the core support as mentioned. Where is the crack exactly?, hard to picture. Maybe the core support bushings are bad? or one side at least. Look between the support and the frame to see if there is an even space or one at all. Also check if the metal is rusted or corroded from acid and and the support dropped through around the bushing/s.

A picture is worth a thousand words.

Allan

tdubis · November 20th, 2008, 05:43 AM

Yep, its the Radiator bracket broken on the drivers side. Looks to be quite
corroded. The bumper was pushed in a little on that side, thought maybe a fender bracket. The previous owner must have hit something and it gave way. Coincidently I found one local on Craigslist last night. The whole front clip for $300.00, although I only need the support. Hopefully he will sell just that. I have not seen this part at the usual outlets, Fusicks,Year one, OPGI..etc. Is this a Junkyard item only? Thanks for all the help. I have waited 10 years for another Cutlass and I am going to do this one right. Thanks Again.

Bluevista · November 20th, 2008, 04:39 PM

I had to get one for my '71 Vista Cruiser because it was bent from an accident. They aren't reproduced as far as I know, just kept looking until I found a good one. I would suggest getting a 1971 factory assembly manual if you don't have one, available in reprint. It shows all the parts for that area and how they go together.

Allan

November 19th, 2008, 11:50 AM	#1 (permalink)
tdubis Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Wake Forest, NC Posts: 47	Bottom Radiator Bracket?? Hey guys- New to the forum, I was installing my new front bumper the other day and could not get it lined up correctly. Then I noticed what looks like a crossmember under the radiator, was cracked on one side. I noticed that the space b/t the fender and door was awfully close and figured it was simply the fender brackets. Is this a part that can be replaced?? If so, is it a bolt on part or welded to the frame rails?? Thanks for the help!!

November 19th, 2008, 11:57 AM	#2 (permalink)
Oldsguy Hot Rodder at heart Administrator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lees Summit MO Posts: 5,360	Year and model of car would help us. __________________ Dan '77 Cutlass Supreme '46 2 door "The rocket 455.....it's a sledgehammer approach to a thumbtack world" LuxBlue of HAMB.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Altenator bracket	cisco88	Electrical	3	May 27th, 2008 04:12 PM
70 455 bottom end assembly	70oldsW30	Big Blocks	0	May 2nd, 2008 05:36 PM
No bottom end torque	magnusdog	Small Blocks	5	August 1st, 2007 08:48 PM
4 row radiator mounting top and bottom supports	muddy	442	12	June 10th, 2006 05:24 AM
371 Starter ring/bottom cover	Lobo	Parts Wanted	1	June 29th, 2004 10:05 PM

November 19th, 2008, 12:16 PM	#3 (permalink)
tdubis Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Wake Forest, NC Posts: 47	Sorry...1971 Cutlass Supreme w/455. Thanks!

November 19th, 2008, 01:42 PM	#4 (permalink)
Eric Anderson Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: North East PA Posts: 362	It sounds like your core support. This bolts to the frame , they often rot out esp. on the battery side. The fender also bolts to this and if it is sagging will cause a problem with the door gap. Its not too hard to find a good one, you have to tear the whole front clip off to replace though. Good luck with it.

November 19th, 2008, 02:43 PM	#5 (permalink)
Bluevista Cruisin' the Vistas Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Northeast Ohio Posts: 1,721	Yeah, the crossmember is under the engine, hope it isn't that. There shouldn't be anything under the radiator except the core support as mentioned. Where is the crack exactly?, hard to picture. Maybe the core support bushings are bad? or one side at least. Look between the support and the frame to see if there is an even space or one at all. Also check if the metal is rusted or corroded from acid and and the support dropped through around the bushing/s. A picture is worth a thousand words. Allan

November 20th, 2008, 05:43 AM	#6 (permalink)
tdubis Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Wake Forest, NC Posts: 47	Yep, its the Radiator bracket broken on the drivers side. Looks to be quite corroded. The bumper was pushed in a little on that side, thought maybe a fender bracket. The previous owner must have hit something and it gave way. Coincidently I found one local on Craigslist last night. The whole front clip for $300.00, although I only need the support. Hopefully he will sell just that. I have not seen this part at the usual outlets, Fusicks,Year one, OPGI..etc. Is this a Junkyard item only? Thanks for all the help. I have waited 10 years for another Cutlass and I am going to do this one right. Thanks Again.

November 20th, 2008, 04:39 PM	#7 (permalink)
Bluevista Cruisin' the Vistas Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Northeast Ohio Posts: 1,721	I had to get one for my '71 Vista Cruiser because it was bent from an accident. They aren't reproduced as far as I know, just kept looking until I found a good one. I would suggest getting a 1971 factory assembly manual if you don't have one, available in reprint. It shows all the parts for that area and how they go together. Allan