radiator core support differences

[biglou55]

what is the difference in the rad supports 67-68 to 69-72. I have a good 72 one will it fit my 68 without to much alterations. Or is thier any difference at all. Thanks

[John Fabris]

Chevy or GMC???

The core support will work for all the years, but themain difference is the headlight bucket section. 67-68 chev have no bucket, 69-72 chev have single bucket, 67-72 GMC have double bucket.

You can remove or add the buckets depending on what year you have.

[67c-10Texas]

67-68 have no headlight bosses like the 72

i think you can cut them off and use the core on the 67-68

someone should know though

[biglou55]

It,s a 68 chevy. I will check the differences when I get home from work. Thanks Lou. H. I had forgotten how fast this board moves. I had to scroll down and look for my post.

[chevychase]

Don't mean to hijack, but maybe a solution for us both:

Are the the same physical shape? I have a perfect 69-72 rad support and a 67-68 with hole where battery box was and would like to know if I could cut out and weld in the piece. I don't have both side by side to compare, my buddy has the 67-68.

[thelonerife]

They are the same

[soule64]

Big block and small block core supports are different. Big-block design is for a heavy-duty 4 row radiator.

[leddzepp]

If you use the 72 core support on your 68 it will work, but you will have to change your hood and fenders to the 69-72 style or they will not line up properly when you mount them.

[biglou55]

So they are not all the same.All I can use on my 68 is a67-68- rad support. It is not just the headlight buckets it is also the shape on the top of the support.??????? I know the dif. in the three core- four core rads is just the rad support upper and lower brackets right ?? It has nothing to do with the whole rad support or am I mistaken. Lou.

[Green Machine]

I have a 68 and a 70 support sitting next to each other. Looks like they are the same except for the headlight buckets. If you remove the buckets from the 72 support you would be really be the same as a 68 except there are no square holes in the newer support for the headlight adjustment screws,or a place for the spring. Also, the 68 headlight hole is chamfered or rounded in where as the newer support is just flat metal, might interfere with the healight bucket fit. Looks like it would work with some modification time, but to me personally, I wouldn't have the time, tools or patience to make it work. JMHO

[John Fabris]

Negative on the small block / big block difference.

What is different for SM/BB are the top and bottom mounts for the radiator. These can be removed and replaced easily, does not require different core supports......

[biglou55]

Thanks John. That is what I thought. Just a different width on the hold down brackets/mounts.

[68 Stepper]

I replaced my 3 core radiator with a 4 core, I ordered new retainers and support pads, both upper and lowers from LMC. I had to notch the radiator support for the lower retainer. I believe the big block trucks had a radiator support designed to for the larger radiator, but it was easy enough to redesign mine with the 4” grinder! I would post a pic, but I don’t think much if any of it is visible anymore.

[shifter4]

I had to notch the bottom on mine to fit the 4 core supports too.

[72MARIO]

I tired removing the headlight buckets off my 72 Chevy support when I built a 67 Chevy clip. The head light spacing was not the same as a 67 68 support. Measure them very closely before you cut and you will see what I am describing.