Using a 70 core support in a 68

[54belair]

In the past Ive seen several members ask if they could swap the early/late core supports. Ive been curious myself since I bought a 70 core support to use as parts for my 68 support.

This weekend I got to the point of stripping the support with the intention of cutting out the rust below the battery box and welding in stel cut from the later model support. Well, the rust was a little worse than I thought (who da guessed that?!!), so I looked over the later support closely.

Turns out they are basically the same stamping--dimensions are the same and almost every hole is the same--EXCEPT, the later support does not have the 6 weld nuts for the splash pan (along the front lower lip) and the later support has additional headlight buckets spot welded onto the support.

Cut to the chase---the cores are interchangeable IF you weld in 6 nuts on the front lip for the splash pan And remove the spotted on headlight buckets----You will also have to add three holes to the support for headlight placement.

Not a difficult job. but plan on aprox. 6 hours fabbing.

If you can measure accurately and can do a little welding its not a bad job.


I have included some pics (even though they arent the best, they should show whats required to make the later madel suport fit on a 67/68.

First 3 pics show headlight cans and front lip of 68 core support.

In the next post Ill show the later support a where weld nuts will be added