Ranmat

Does anyone know where to find the rubber piece that is stapled to the top of the bracket above the radiator on the 1955 Oldsmobile? I suppose it's purpose is an (insulator) between the bracket and the hood.

Tedd Thompson

I haven't seen a reproduction part advertised anywhere in years. Most just leave it off along with the cardboard splash shield that lies near the bottom of the radiator that dissolves soon after the car loses it newness. Please post here if you find a vendor.others would like to know also..... Tedd

Ranmat

Thank you Tedd.

Ozzie

I don't know where to get a new replacement, but if you work carefully, you can us the old one as a template to cut a new one from a piece of flat rubber. It's presence helps to keep the air flowing correctly through the radiator.

dhimme1045

Does anyone have updated information on this part? I am in need of this piece and it is completely gone, only staples remain, so no chance of a template. Thanks much. Dennis

Tedd Thompson

I still haven't seen any advertised or in person in many years. Most owners don't know that they exist and I've never been docked any points for their omission in even the most strict judging events. I don't think the judges were aware they ever existed..... Tedd

dhimme1045

Thanks Tedd. That's interesting, because when the rubber is missing, you either have the staples remaining or if you remove the staples, you have the holes. I suppose you could fill the holes and re-paint. Dennis

Ozzie

It's an air dam that supposed to keep the air going through the radiator's core instead of going over the top. It's called Radiator Core Baffle Assembly (upper). The group number was 1.285 in 1955 (later it was 1.272). The parts book is not completely clear on the part number. In the 1955 book it showed 565130 for the 88. For the cars with C.A.C. (air conditioning) it was 567109. The rubber and metal were sold together. You couldn't buy the rubber by itself. In any case, I don't know anywhere it can be purchased. If you don't have the old one to use as a template, you can approximate the size by placing some easily crushable material (that will retain its crushed shape) on top of the steel part of the baffle. Close the hood completely. After you raise the hood use the dimensions of the crushed material to estimate the dimensions and cut out a piece from flat rubber. I believe I used the inner tube from a BIG truck. If you make it a bit too wide, and the rubber is flexible, it will just "fold over" itself.

dhimme1045

Ozzie, Great information. Thank you. Dennis

ignachuck

I cheated on the air dam on top of the baffle. I didn't want that flap getting in my way, so I just cut a slit in a garden soaker hose and slid it over the baffle to give it a neater appearance and eliminate the sharp edge. As Tedd mentioned above, I don't think anyone will notice, whatever you do.

redoldsman

I wonder if they started that in 55 because my 54 has no staples or holes. So I don't believe it ever had one. It does press up against the hood insulation.

Ozzie

My parts books show the upper radiator baffles back to 1946, but beginning in 1954 they start to list them (with seal) and (less seal). Apparently some upper baffles were sold without the rubber. If yours presses against the hood insulation it will likely be doing the same job as the rubber. Some cars never were built with the hood insulation.

redoldsman

Thanks Ozzie.