Radiator question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

smashingchuck · 06-15-2009, 01:03 PM

Well, as usual I'm making things hard on myself, but I guess that's just the way it goes. I bought a used "Be-Cool" radiator from a board member a few years ago, which has been sitting in my garage ever since. I remember the add said it was a direct fit radiator... but apparently it's a direct fit for the 81-87 body style and not the 73-80 body style. For those of you who don't know the difference, the new body style had bigger (taller) radiators. sooo.....

can I just get the different upper straps off the newer style radiator support and throw the old style one piece sheet metal "clamp" away? I know there will be some modification necessary, but that would be the easiest. or...

am I just going to have to custom make my own support piece?

**old Rusty C10** · 06-15-2009, 10:40 PM

If im not mistaken the radiator supports are like an inch or so taller on the 81-7 supports youll prolly find it easier to fab something if you have access to that..

smashingchuck · 06-15-2009, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by old Rusty C10

If im not mistaken the radiator supports are like an inch or so taller on the 81-7 supports youll prolly find it easier to fab something if you have access to that..

right.. I know the newer style ones will accommodate a taller radiator, just didn't know if it was a cure all, or if there would still be some fabricating involved. I guess I'll just go down to the pick and pull and get some, then go from there.

Driveway Dreams · 06-15-2009, 11:32 PM

Let us know what you find out. My guess is just swap in the newer Rad support. But I don't know how the old style grill and hood would fit with that. That seems to be an interesting quandary.

smashingchuck · 06-16-2009, 01:23 AM

There's no way I'm swapping radiator supports I've already got all the wholes filled in this one. The bottom is the same, and all I have to do is capture it at the top. It's still under the lip on the top of the rad support.

454HO · 06-16-2009, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smashingchuck

I remember the add said it was a direct fit radiator... but apparently it's a direct fit for the 81-87 body style and not the 73-80 body style. For those of you who don't know the difference, the new body style had bigger (taller) radiators. sooo.....

FWIW, I bought a brand new brass/copper 4-core radiator for my old '77 truck with a factory 454. When I parted the truck out I kept the radiator and core support. That radiator is now mounted in my '86 truck and it fits perfectly. I did have to purchase the correct upper radiator bracket because the original small block radiator brackets did not work. So check out the LMC catalog and see if maybe a new bracket to match your radiator is all you need.

http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cc/full.aspx?page=128

smashingchuck · 06-16-2009, 01:42 PM

Greg-
you might be on to something there. I'll look into it. I know when I used a small radiator from my 78 (the one that goes with the upper bracket that I have) it was too short for my '87. Thanks!!

06-15-2009, 01:03 PM	#1
smashingchuck It'd be alot cooler if you did Join Date: May 2003 Location: Three Rivers, MI Posts: 2,345	Radiator question Well, as usual I'm making things hard on myself, but I guess that's just the way it goes. I bought a used "Be-Cool" radiator from a board member a few years ago, which has been sitting in my garage ever since. I remember the add said it was a direct fit radiator... but apparently it's a direct fit for the 81-87 body style and not the 73-80 body style. For those of you who don't know the difference, the new body style had bigger (taller) radiators. sooo..... can I just get the different upper straps off the newer style radiator support and throw the old style one piece sheet metal "clamp" away? I know there will be some modification necessary, but that would be the easiest. or... am I just going to have to custom make my own support piece? __________________ 78 Build Thread 4Runner Build

06-15-2009, 10:40 PM	#2
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,277	Re: Radiator question If im not mistaken the radiator supports are like an inch or so taller on the 81-7 supports youll prolly find it easier to fab something if you have access to that.. __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

06-15-2009, 11:32 PM	#4
Driveway Dreams I have car A.D.D. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Greeley, Northern Colorado Posts: 4,147	Re: Radiator question Let us know what you find out. My guess is just swap in the newer Rad support. But I don't know how the old style grill and hood would fit with that. That seems to be an interesting quandary. __________________ -Gerald Building vehicles in memory of the first "car guy" I ever knew, my Grandpa. Bob Dunham 1935-2009. Rest in peace. 61 GMC Suburban SOLD The 86 build thread SOLD Are you a Colorado member?Click here. Last edited by Driveway Dreams; 06-15-2009 at 11:33 PM.

06-16-2009, 01:23 AM	#5
smashingchuck It'd be alot cooler if you did Join Date: May 2003 Location: Three Rivers, MI Posts: 2,345	Re: Radiator question There's no way I'm swapping radiator supports I've already got all the wholes filled in this one. The bottom is the same, and all I have to do is capture it at the top. It's still under the lip on the top of the rad support. __________________ 78 Build Thread 4Runner Build

06-16-2009, 01:42 PM	#7
smashingchuck It'd be alot cooler if you did Join Date: May 2003 Location: Three Rivers, MI Posts: 2,345	Re: Radiator question Greg- you might be on to something there. I'll look into it. I know when I used a small radiator from my 78 (the one that goes with the upper bracket that I have) it was too short for my '87. Thanks!! __________________ 78 Build Thread 4Runner Build



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