My 71 cutlass was apparently fitted with 442 parts long ago.
The 4 core radiator sits crooked with the top leaning forward by maybe 1 1/2" so the fan shroud doesn't fit and there's 2 sets of lower rubber bushings so the radiator stays tight.
I'm wondering if the top support plate for the 4 core radiator is different than the 2 core support or other mounts might be different, or something else stupid.

 

The top support plates would be different for a 4 row. Specifically the rad cradle length. I would think their would be only two top plates, One plate to accommodate a 2 and 3 row rad, and another top plate for a 4 row rad.
This is what I remember from working in a rad shop back in the early 80's after school.

 

It could just be the lower radiator saddles are not correct. The 3 row saddles can be flattened so a 4 row radiator will fit, but for the radiator to sit upright the saddles have to be flattened on both sides and not just the rear.

 

Here's some pictures of what the 2-3 row top plate looks like vs the 4 row. Which one do you have? I'm thinking if the previous owner didn't change out the lower brackets they may have also just bent out the top plate brackets too. John

2-3 row
DSCN5984.jpg

4 row
P8111150.jpg

 

I don"t think mine looks like either of those.

 

That's not the correct top plate for your car. That looks like one from a 73-75ish vintage. Do you have a 4 row radiator right now?

 

That looks like my 77 top plate. I think you are now in the market for a 71 top plate. Everything will fit better with the correct part.

 

I don't have an extra 4 row top plate. You could create a parts wanted thread to see if anyone here has one for sale. There's several on ebay right now priced from $100-150. Consider if they have the rubber bushings still or not before you buy one as that would add to the price. I believe several places sell the reproduced rubber bushings, but personally I'd try Fusicks first if it were me. John

 

Nice! that's why I posted here!
I guess I'm going to do some shopping!
Thanks for all the replies and help!

 

Thanks Mike, I'm not well versed in the 73-77 vintage cars.
John

 

The strange thing is... this is my 10th Olds. 7 of them were 68-72 and the other 3 were 73,76 and 77. I guess I never paid attention to the radiator top plates!
Anyway, got one ordered on E-Bay. $122 shipped.

 

Now I'm thinking that my fan shroud is wrong too.
Edit: Now that I looked at it, it has a sticker dated 69 on it and it looks just like the one listed as 68-72 heavy duty cooling system...
So I'm crossing my fingers for this one to be OK!

 

If you want to be sure post a picture of the shroud and the numbers cast into it. Then we can compare it to ours and let you know. It shouldn't be a sticker, there should be a two digit date with a starburst of lines around it. Then a long part number, maybe 6 digits? John

 

These are the only numbers, one in the plastic with a little rocket emblem, and one on the coolant sticker.

 

The sticker part number is for 70-72 Olds on the Fusick engine compartment sticker page. That gives me some hope!

http://www.fusickautomotiveproducts....sp?number=DC43

 

It won't hurt anything with the rad sitting on a slight angle, and Mike was correct that is a 73-77 top plate. If you have a 4 row with a functional shroud I would leave it unless your looking for something your car was born with.

Eric

 

Not to confuse the issue, hopefully, but there are top plates for AC & non AC. The 2 plates that Adam shows are for cars with AC & a shroud. The non AC top plate extends further back into the engine compartment than the AC shroud & is shaped slightly different. If your car did not come with AC, (or heavy duty cooling), it did not have a shroud.

 

The fan hits the shroud at the bottom when it is against the crooked radiator.
If I unbolt the top plate and make the radiator straight up like it is supposed to be, the fan doesn't hit. It's a Cutlass S with 442 trim, so all the "born with" stuff is already out the window... I'm just going for functional.

 

I see you already ordered a top plate on Ebay, hopefully it will work out. You may have got away with putting a few washers under the mounting holes on top of the plate you had to get the shroud a little lower.
The plate Oldspackrat mentioned would work as well since you don't have air, but you don't have a fixed fan either which is better suited for a non A/C car without an enclosed shroud.
On a good note you're already close to being set up with a clutch fan and shroud if can get it to work.

Eric

 

It had a crappy flex fan on it when I bought it... I stole the clutch fan from my brothers Chevelle parts!

 

Haha, sounds like you knew exactly what you wanted to steal LOL.
I hope your new top plate hooks up well with your shroud, If not you will be able to make it work I'm sure.

Eric

 

It was hanging on the wall in his garage and I said, "Ooh! I'm stealing that!"
That's what brothers are for!
I knew something had to be wrong weather it was at the top or bottom. Glad there were a few who knew just by looking at it.
Now I'll impatiently wait for the parts.