Got a core support question. I have a 1972 Cutlass and need a new core support. Ecklers carry's one it says fits 1970 and 71-72 with modification, OPG has one that says 1970 does not fit 71-72. Does anyone know why the OPG one will not fit 71-72 or what modifications would need to be done to either to work on a 72 Cutlass ?

 

Sounds like you need a 72 core support if you want to keep proper grill mounting. A 71 will work but I think you'll need a 71 grill because a 72 grill doesn't mate happily with a 71 support. I haven't tried a 70, to me, they are unique to 70 only. Look at the pictures to see the "bump" on 72's. 71's don't have that.

I'm sure someone else has some input involving this challenge.

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...pports-156431/

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...cutlass-42873/

 

I am going through this right now. On my 70 cutlass drop-top
I have a new "70-72" core support it has 70 fenders to core support spacing.
I believe the hood latch location is different as well.
I'm in the process of removing the support from the 71-72 new fenders and replacing it with the 70 support.

 

From this thread: Olds A Body 1971 Vs. 1972 Differences

The 1972 radiator core support has a raised area to allow for grill fitment.

 

Did you thik about getting a good used one? Contact Scott Winn on this site, he may be able to help. oldspackrat is his user name.

 

Yes, the hood latch location is different between 70 and 71.

 

Just found out the profile of the fender is also different between the 70 and 71-72
I had a beat-up eyebrow and decided to see what it would look like blacked out.
You can see the difference in the profile the 70 has the chrome eyebrow the blacked-out one fits the new fender brace.

 

No it isn't. In fact, Olds superseded the 1970 fender part number with the 1971-72 fender as soon as they came out. Your trim piece is bent. The problem isn't the fender.

 

That's what I thought.
I am surprised the bent trim matches the profile of the new fender support almost exactly.
I had to bend the fender slightly to get the 70 support lined up and the chrome trim matches.

So other than the crinkle bumps the fenders 70- 71-72 should be the same?
How are you supposed to mount the fenders to the core support?
The bolt pattern on the 70 is approx 4 inches apart whereas the 71-72 fender is closer to 3 inches.

 

I don't know what bolt pattern you're talking about, but the only place that the fender bolts to the core support is two bolts right at the top of the core support. All the other bolts go into the baffle that bolts to the front of the fender.

 

The new fender had the baffle tack welded in and the holes to mount to the core were close to 3 inches apart.
The 70 baffle bolts in and have the holes approx 4 inches apart.
You can see the measurements in post #3

 

I have zero experience with repro core supports. All I know is that the 1970, 71, and 72 core supports are all different, and no baffles were welding in place on the fenders from the factory. The baffles need to match the core support. A 70 core support is not correct for a 72, no matter what the vendor may say.

 

Is the key.

Strange that the trim for the 70 doesn't match the profile for the 71-72 baffles. (is the part number the same for the trim?)
I am curious how the passenger fender, baffles, and trim work out.
The best I can tell this repo core support is the 70 version.

Sorry to hijack this thread.

 

There's no mystery. The aftermarket core support is 1970, period. The leading edge of the fenders is exactly the same for 1970-72. The 1970 baffle is different from 71-72. The trim on the leading edge of the fender is different from 1970 to 71-72, however the attachment holes are the same.