I did search. Lots of info out there but I am trying to sort out what I have.

72 442 350 no AC.

Car came to me for some r&r & I’m trying to button up the engine compartment but am concerned I either have an incorrect top plate or core support.

Car had no shroud, no fan clutch, and a 3 row radiator. Car has had front end damage in the past so anything up front could’ve been changed incorrectly.

Core support has 3 row sized “feet”, but also has clips for shroud.

I had the radiator professionally serviced and now when I try to put everything together, the radiator has a severe rearward tilt if I line up the bolt holes in the top plate. See pictures.

The top plate seems “deeper” than it needs to be?

I can’t remember how it looked when I took it apart and I haven’t spent much time working on the small blocks…..I’ve seen lots of pictures of top plates as well.

Any small block experts know what I’m dealing with?

Appreciate it!

Joe

 

Can't help with the rad, but the alternator does not seem to line up with the crank pulley.

 

Radiator is probably fine. You do have the correct non-shroud top plate. I've seen several cars where the top of the radiator leans inward, as long as you've got clearance for the fan that's likely normal. Since you say it had damage in the front its possible the core support was changed and they got one that came from a shroud equipped car.

 

If your still thinking it has too much lean, put the fan on and bolt the top plate to the core support. Take some pictures showing us how bad the tilt is.

 

I know it is a different year but, the radiator on my '68 tilts the same way.

 

The picture above is with the radiator basically plumb. You can see the top plate holes are 2 1/2 - 3” forward.

As mentioned above, pretty sure the core support they used was from a shroud equipped car.

I found one picture via google showing a small block with this top plate and the radiator is tilted slightly (nowhere close to where this would be).

I just got my spot weld cutter out and repositioned the lower mounts forward. Think it looks pretty close to the picture I found.

As for the pulley alignment, it’s just an optical illusion.

thanks!

 

You moved the lower mounts rearward. The rad looks better but what about the vertical seals on the sides of the rad?

 

The bottom of the radiator seems too far forward as the seals normally seal the bottom 1/2 with the radiator leaning forward, which is normal in this case.

 

Thanks for the feedback. With the seals in place, they touch almost halfway up. I’ll make sure it’s sealed up as good as it can be. Shouldn’t be a big deal. Waiting for the upper corner flaps to show up.

 

That's not the correct top plate for a 1972 Cutlass application. Sorry - incorrect information. I just noticed this was a non-ac car which has a different top plate.
This link here is what the 4 core row top plate looks like. The only difference is the saddles welded to the outside of the plate

http://www.fusickautomotiveproducts....?number=RTP692