new radiator support or repair old one - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**65truckowner** · 02-25-2015, 08:41 PM

I am trying to decide on which would be the best thing to do repair my radiator support I have or just buy a new one. Mine is rusted out on the passenger side under the battery. I have repaired several like this over the years but it takes a lot of time to get it clean and the rust repaired. What do you guys think?

franken · 02-25-2015, 08:48 PM

I repaired one from a scrapyard that I thought was better than it was. I didn't like the patch panel being thicker than the original metal, and had to add some extra. For me it was good experience since its out of the way. It turned out well.
The aftermarket ones are supposed to be not so good, but I've never tried one.
Sorry, mines a 72. I didn't notice this was a 60-66.

dougf · 02-25-2015, 11:37 PM

Well, I went through this about 6 months ago. What do you have more of, time or money? I ended up buying one for 165, goodmark brand, fits great and very happy with it. I had extensive rust though. I guess it just comes down to what it's worth to you and how bad the damage is!

**65truckowner** · 02-26-2015, 08:31 AM

Mine is fixable but I am wanting to get this thing done by warm weather. That is why I was thinking about buying a new one.

**65truckowner** · 02-26-2015, 08:02 PM

I guess what I want to know, is the aftermarket radiator supports any good? I know dougf said his did anyone else?

**65truckowner** · 03-10-2015, 07:22 PM

I just saved my self 150 dollars buy repairing my old radiator support. I have pictures in the project and build section for 66 chevy truck. I dont have the pieces welded yet but they are cut and ready to be welded

rustbucket66 · 03-10-2015, 11:32 PM

I had two different reproduction rad supports from two different manufacturers and couldn't use either one. Both were shorter than the original from side to side, one by 3/8 inch. The holes with the square threaded nuts welded on were in the wrong places also. I returned them both and repaired my original. That rad support is a very important piece. Everything fastens to it. Inner fenders, outer fenders, header panel, and frame. Everything is correct on the one the General made. Repair the one you have.

02-25-2015, 08:41 PM	#1
65truckowner Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: mountain view arkansas Posts: 1,304	new radiator support or repair old one I am trying to decide on which would be the best thing to do repair my radiator support I have or just buy a new one. Mine is rusted out on the passenger side under the battery. I have repaired several like this over the years but it takes a lot of time to get it clean and the rust repaired. What do you guys think? __________________ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=548705

02-25-2015, 08:48 PM	#2
franken Registered User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Somewhere Posts: 3,068	Re: new radiator support or repair old one I repaired one from a scrapyard that I thought was better than it was. I didn't like the patch panel being thicker than the original metal, and had to add some extra. For me it was good experience since its out of the way. It turned out well. The aftermarket ones are supposed to be not so good, but I've never tried one. Sorry, mines a 72. I didn't notice this was a 60-66.

02-25-2015, 11:37 PM	#3
dougf Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Fort Campbell, KY Posts: 494	Re: new radiator support or repair old one Well, I went through this about 6 months ago. What do you have more of, time or money? I ended up buying one for 165, goodmark brand, fits great and very happy with it. I had extensive rust though. I guess it just comes down to what it's worth to you and how bad the damage is!

02-26-2015, 08:31 AM	#4
65truckowner Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: mountain view arkansas Posts: 1,304	Re: new radiator support or repair old one Mine is fixable but I am wanting to get this thing done by warm weather. That is why I was thinking about buying a new one. __________________ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=548705

02-26-2015, 08:02 PM	#5
65truckowner Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: mountain view arkansas Posts: 1,304	Re: new radiator support or repair old one I guess what I want to know, is the aftermarket radiator supports any good? I know dougf said his did anyone else? __________________ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=548705

03-10-2015, 07:22 PM	#6
65truckowner Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: mountain view arkansas Posts: 1,304	Re: new radiator support or repair old one I just saved my self 150 dollars buy repairing my old radiator support. I have pictures in the project and build section for 66 chevy truck. I dont have the pieces welded yet but they are cut and ready to be welded __________________ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=548705

03-10-2015, 11:32 PM	#7
rustbucket66 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Strathmore, Alberta Posts: 470	Re: new radiator support or repair old one I had two different reproduction rad supports from two different manufacturers and couldn't use either one. Both were shorter than the original from side to side, one by 3/8 inch. The holes with the square threaded nuts welded on were in the wrong places also. I returned them both and repaired my original. That rad support is a very important piece. Everything fastens to it. Inner fenders, outer fenders, header panel, and frame. Everything is correct on the one the General made. Repair the one you have.



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