Bartmans AD-S10 Chassis Swap

[tlorber]

Thanks for the Video Bartman. So if I understand correctly, all of the front end sheet metal hangs onto the radiator support correct? Does that mean that it is all reliant on those two bolts at the bottom to hold it on, or is there another anchoring point? It would seem to me that you do not want that support to move, and that the rubber washers might be better placed between the radiator and the support as opposed to being between the support and the frame.

[av8tr33337]

Originally Posted by tlorber

Thanks for the Video Bartman. So if I understand correctly, all of the front end sheet metal hangs onto the radiator support correct? Does that mean that it is all reliant on those two bolts at the bottom to hold it on, or is there another anchoring point? It would seem to me that you do not want that support to move, and that the rubber washers might be better placed between the radiator and the support as opposed to being between the support and the frame.

Yes everything sits on and is supported by the radiator core support. But I Plan to also put some kind of L bracket on each inner fender and attach them to the actual frame rails. The weight will then be distributed across 4 anchor points. The rubber washers are just a little buffer for vibration etc. The Radiator will actually be attached via the Brackets running up the sides or the radiator. I still need to make some brackets to get the radiator joined to the support.

[99 to Life]

yeah bartman nailed it. the innner fenders hold alot of the weight, on the s10s they need cut to fit because of the control arms, so you loose alot of mounting space as opposed to the stock frame. the rad support bolts to the inner fenders and then to the xmember of your making, so that really stiffens things up. I also ran a piece of angle or flatstock, cant remember, from the bottom or my grill back to the rad xmember, its just a little extra support. I didn't run the radiator splash apron, I dont think a lot of people even run those.

[av8tr33337]

Also the rods that run from the center part of the fire wall to the inner fenders that are primarily for squaring up the sheet metal, but they will also have a hand in carrying some wait and preventing a tendency to droop.

[99 to Life]

bartman, right on that the do, but they are an eyesore, most guys don't run them but for sure they help.

[av8tr33337]

Originally Posted by 99 to Life

bartman, right on that the do, but they are an eyesore, most guys don't run them but for sure they help.

Yeah I hadn't thought about it that way, but you are right. I really shouldn't need them if I do it as I wrote above. I really appreciate your feedback. You always have good insight on this chassis swap.

[99 to Life]

no problem bartman, once I'm done with my 49'. I'm gonna do another on its OG frame. Doing a swap with static drop on a dime frame isn't bad, bagging it is a little more work, but I think it would be easier and cleaner to just stick with the OG frame. I always thought the price difference was moons apart, but really things are gettin much more affordable. I think I'm gonna start making my own IFS crossmembers. Have em cnc'd out depending on price. But these days you can get a fully welded member with cups for 300 bucks. Then just snag some arms, spindles and you can do all your moch up till money rolls back in. I got a 52' I'm painting and keeping, 235 with 5 speed, think I'm gonna just bag it on OG frame. In between that and two other car projects, I'm gonna do another AD on an OG frame with an LS. When you think you'll be on the road?

[av8tr33337]

Was able to spend a long day fabbing up the radiator support. I have just a little grinding left and then on to other things.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KmcK69g-tM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DTxdNDAqNU

[99 to Life]

yeah metal isn't cheap esp retail. for instance a 6ft 1x1" square tubing is like 20 bucks at lowes, at a metal supplier I found it for $12. But, I found a place and got some drops of all types of random stuff. they had 17ft of square tubing in 4 pieces I got for a total of $12. So less than a buck a foot is better than 3.30 a ft. I'v used probably 35ft of tubing on my floors already.

rad is looking good. only question I have is do you plan on having the stock portion of the mount still bolt to the inner fender/fender? I'm talking about those tabs that come off of the top area on left and right side. I think its easier to have the fenders on so you can tie into them and really see how much room you have with the grille being on there too. but of course its easier to actually do all the welding with the clip off.

[av8tr33337]

Yes I do plan on leaving them on. You right it would be a good Idea to throw the fenders on to double check everything. I'm pretty sure that nothing I did in the fabrication of the Radiator support will come into play on the mounting of the fenders or grill.I am also kind curious how the front fenders are going to look with the drop spindles I got from XPickup. I might just throw them on this weekend and take a few pics.

[Billys68SS]

I really like the way you did the radiator support. I have a question on it though. I'm curious about the inlet and outlet diameter being different from the sbc and hose selection. I know most sbc thermostat outlets point to the left and the mustang radiator upper inlet is on the right. The thermostat outlet can be flipped, but may interfere with accessories... Have you run into anything on that yet?

[99 to Life]

bartman, the stock rad bracket is like a core support. The fenders and inners tie into it. Its gonna give the front end most its strength. I'd put the fenders on and check it out, even if you just have to run some new/different holes to run some bolts through, its def gonna need to tie into that rad support somehow.

as for the waterneck, they make swivel ones. just make sure your rad cap is the highest point of your system, don't let any of the hose run higher or it can't burp itself and you'll get air pockets, so i'v read.

[av8tr33337]

99 to life, I did not change anything about my core support as far as where the fenders attach. I will use all the factory attach points. I guess I am not understanding your concern brother. Did I miss something??

Also Thanks for the info on the swivel Thermostat housing.

Billy Thanks for pointing that out. I had not really looked into it yet, but I'm not the first guy to go with the mustang radiator so I knew there was a way to do it, Just had not crossed that bridge yet. Thanks to 99 to life I think the issue is solved. That's what I like about this forum. Always looking out for each other and helping where we can. As for hoses I think it will be pretty easy to come up with something that will work.

[99 to Life]

bartman, maybe I took what you said wrong. you said "I'm pretty sure that nothing I did in the fabrication of the Radiator support will come into play on the mounting of the fenders or grill." If you plan on mounting the fenders back up with that core support, great. My concern derived from the placement of that support, without the fenders on there, the holes might not line up. maybe I missed someone where you had the fenders on there and got some measurements, but I just didn't see that in your video thats all.

[av8tr33337]

OHHHH Ok 99 to life. Now I get it. I mocked up all the sheet metal a couple years ago. I cut the Radiator support to the height I needed and welded in a new bottom cross piece anticipating that I would run some kind of 19 X 21 radiator. All I was showing in my recent video is what I did to fit the radiator to the support. In the previous video I did regarding the radiator support. I showed the old radiator and original support together, but I just had the two haves of the support laying on the floor with the radiator laying on top. It did look like everything was fully in tact so that may have led you to believe that I only cut it down in my last video with no sheet metal mocked up. Here is the video I made of the mock up. It was my first ever YouTube Video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6hSteQoazw

I Guess I didn't actually get a pic of the radiator support in place when I made the video but the fenders were bolted in place using it.

[Low52]

Hi there im new member and I would like to thank you and everyone else that share so much information making it much easier for us that are new to this, I've saw your video and your cab mounts are 3 1/2 inches from top of frame to top of the mount are all 4 mounts the same or are the back ones shorter?

[_Ogre]

bartman... calling bartman
did you quit or finish?

[tlorber]

I was wondering the same. Hopefully he's been on a cross country tour with the truck.

[oldman3]

Add me to the list, when I saw this I thought maybe he was back posting...Jim

[Clay54]

He just posted on skymangs s10 swap this morning.

[av8tr33337]

Sorry guys no progress to report. Lack of time, money and determination here.

[iowaboynca]

No worries. Kick back and hang around for a while. You never know, it might help out with #3. Once that's improved, #1 & #2 tend to sort themselves out
Seriously good to hear from you.

[Clay54]

Man, I can relate to that. All I like is just finishing up but that is where I was 2 years and I haven't even started yet. At least you have accomplished alot and provided me and others with useful and much need info. Thanks, Clay

[99 to Life]

yo bartman, hope you get the flame re lite soon. I'm sure most of us can relate. I'v been having some serious melt downs lately. Just gotta chip away when you can. When its on the road (I know seems like they never will get there) its a great feeling of accomplishment.

[Gregski]

Originally Posted by av8tr33337

Sorry guys no progress to report. Lack of time, money and determination here.

waste a few evening on this forum and that will take care of the determination for you, you have a bunch of fans/guys cheering for you here man, git 'er done!