1 step forward, 2 steps back....

[lyrikz]

A few weekends ago i finally got my truck running. My lower radiator hose had a sharp bend to it so i took it off, trimmed it and reinstalled it. I then added coolant and watched as the coolant poured out of the middle of the radiator. So my brand new 4 core radiator i some how put a hole in it. SOO, i pull the radiator and go and put my new radiator in. Its an identical radiator but i installed my rubber bushings on the bottom this time. ( i had left them off last time. Bad, i know.)

NOW, the radiator sits .5" to high....The radiator isnt a stock replacement for my vehicle. It sits about .5" to high. I took care of that by not having the rubber mounts in the bottom. But, i realize i cant do that because it will just rub right through the radiator if its metal on metal. I cant use my mounts and honestly i am not good at coming up with ideas. I just need two upper radiator supports that will mount in the stock location. Any suggestions? Tips? Materials? I dont need it super fancy. Stock worked fine.

[Ackattack]

Sounds like my radiator. I believe mine may actually be for a 73+. It is aluminum with plastic side tanks.



I don't know if you can tell in this picture, but I used a stack of washers and longer bolts to hold the upper supports in place for now.

[grs]

I put a desert cooler radiator in my 69. It was a little bigger. I trimmed the rubber supports a little. I got it to work. You could use an old inner tube. Cut and make your own pieces.

[lyrikz]

Originally Posted by Ackattack

Sounds like my radiator. I believe mine may actually be for a 73+. It is aluminum with plastic side tanks.



I don't know if you can tell in this picture, but I used a stack of washers and longer bolts to hold the upper supports in place for now.

I was thinking of the washer. I was actually contemplating using a plate with the holes in it. That looks like my radiator. I have electric pusher fans. Mines plastic with aluminum core. The one i jabbed a hole in was brass... This one is a ton lighter and i guess the aluminum cools better??

[mrein3]

Originally Posted by lyrikz

I was thinking of the washer. I was actually contemplating using a plate with the holes in it. That looks like my radiator. I have electric pusher fans. Mines plastic with aluminum core. The one i jabbed a hole in was brass... This one is a ton lighter and i guess the aluminum cools better??

I ran into the EXACT same thing when I put in a 4-row radiator into my 4x4. I bought all new aftermarket cushions, drilled out the old bottom mounts and moved them over, and ended up with it sitting too high. I simply made a little plate out of sheet metal and bolted one end to the shroud and one end to the top bracket. See picture. It has been this way for a couple of years.

I posted questions in this forum about it. The general consensus was if you go with the new cushions everything sits up too high.

[fishingjred73]

Check out how these were raised. 2nd post down
http://louisianaclassictruckclub.fre...-t1016-60.html

[lyrikz]

Originally Posted by mrein3

I ran into the EXACT same thing when I put in a 4-row radiator into my 4x4. I bought all new aftermarket cushions, drilled out the old bottom mounts and moved them over, and ended up with it sitting too high. I simply made a little plate out of sheet metal and bolted one end to the shroud and one end to the top bracket. See picture. It has been this way for a couple of years.

I posted questions in this forum about it. The general consensus was if you go with the new cushions everything sits up too high.

I dont have a fan shroud, so thats not really an issue.. Its just where it mounts to the core support. Im sure i will figure it out, just i know you guys have some AWESOME ideas.

[QKENUF4U]

just get some 1/2" spacers w/ longer bolts and be done....

[lyrikz]

Originally Posted by QKENUF4U

just get some 1/2" spacers w/ longer bolts and be done....

I was thinking to put a solid piece of metal instead of a spacer. Then grind it down to match the form of the actual bracket... Think that should work.. probably use a piece of aluminum or something. not sure.

[LockDoc]

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How about having your brass radiator fixed? Ask around at some of the auto repair shops and see if they know of someone that fixes them. I have fixed three or four of them and depending on where the hole is they can be pretty easy to fix.

LockDoc

[lyrikz]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

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How about having your brass radiator fixed? Ask around at some of the auto repair shops and see if they know of someone that fixes them. I have fixed three or four of them and depending on where the hole is they can be pretty easy to fix.

LockDoc

I have a shop that fixes the radiators. But the place i bought mine from actually let me warranty this radiator.. It was bought in oct 08 and i TOLD her that i think i knicked a fin and its leaking. She didnt want me to repair is to she just sent me a new one. Awesome place to buy stuff.. Would of been a 30-40 dollar fix on the old one, but i kinda like the aluminum better.

[Mike J]

I had the same problem- I ended up using the 4-core brackets and rubbers at the bottom- but just went and bought some metal strips at Lowe's and drilled them so i could use the factory holes in the core support and then bent the other end 90 degrees to hold the radiator in place- nice and simple and only cost like 6 bucks- works for me.

[fishingjred73]

Originally Posted by lyrikz

I was thinking to put a solid piece of metal instead of a spacer. Then grind it down to match the form of the actual bracket... Think that should work.. probably use a piece of aluminum or something. not sure.

Originally Posted by fishingjred73

Check out how these were raised. 2nd post down
http://louisianaclassictruckclub.fre...-t1016-60.html

That's what was done here^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[Shane]

Originally Posted by QKENUF4U

just get some 1/2" spacers w/ longer bolts and be done....

Do what he said. You're over-thinking this thing.