wider radiator bracket
#1
wider radiator bracket
Upgraded to a 3 core radiator from standard radiator on a 70 cutlass supreme. Problem is, the original brackets on the core support and top plate are not wide enough to accomodate the wider radiator. What to do? Can the original brackets be "rebent" to fit the wider radiator or is there another solution? Original radiator was the stock 2 core radiator, and the replacement was a all aluminum 3 core radiator because we added a/c to the car. Thanks much to all,
#2
Hello:
Look into the aftermarket shops, many carry new saddles and rubbers, I saw in the OPG catalog, there were several versions for sale. Just drill out the spot welds or use a spotweld cutter without going all the way thru on the top plate (looks bad), weld in the new ones. You could also get a different top plate from a member and just change out the lower ones.
Thanks, Ron
Look into the aftermarket shops, many carry new saddles and rubbers, I saw in the OPG catalog, there were several versions for sale. Just drill out the spot welds or use a spotweld cutter without going all the way thru on the top plate (looks bad), weld in the new ones. You could also get a different top plate from a member and just change out the lower ones.
Thanks, Ron
#3
USA Parts Supply (among others) sells repro top and bottom brackets for FOUR row radiators.
#4
OPGI has a good assortment of brackets and rubbers. The GM (no A/C) radiator has different depth tanks to allow for a trans cooler, if equipped. Their bracket description does not fully explain that difference. The factory no A/C radiator tanks are different side-to-side also.
#6
OPGI has a good assortment of brackets and rubbers. The GM (no A/C) radiator has different depth tanks to allow for a trans cooler, if equipped. Their bracket description does not fully explain that difference. The factory no A/C radiator tanks are different side-to-side also.
#7
So yes, the saddles can be bent to fit larger end tanks. It may not be as pretty as the "correct" top support plate, but it can be done.
#8
Years ago, I replaced my 3-row with a 4-row radiator. I placed a bottle jack and a 4x4 under the core supprt and whacked the sh** out of the saddles to "open" them up enough to fit the 4-row tank width, then i did the same with the top plate (without the bottle jack). Although it worked well enough to accommodate the 4-row radiator, the top plate never sat right after my red-neck engineering and had a slight slant to the rear. If I had to do it over again, I would drill out the spot welds and replace with the larger saddles.
Rodney
Rodney
#9
Upgraded to a 3 core radiator from standard radiator on a 70 cutlass supreme. Problem is, the original brackets on the core support and top plate are not wide enough to accomodate the wider radiator. What to do? Can the original brackets be "rebent" to fit the wider radiator or is there another solution? Original radiator was the stock 2 core radiator, and the replacement was a all aluminum 3 core radiator because we added a/c to the car. Thanks much to all,
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