Radiators: Stock Mounting Location(s)

[TimC63]

I'm swapping out the radiator in my '63 for the simple fact that I believe it's the incorrect one for my truck (top hose on passenger side), it has a small leak, and I'm rattle-canning my engine bay.

I believe the stock mounting set-up used two bottom retainers with rubber pads along with a single top bracket retainer (as in Chief Rocka's pic & someone’s cool truck).

I guess my real question is: Was this the only set-up or was there another configuration using the six mounting holes on the radiator support as shown in the LMC pic (if not, what were these six holes for)? Does anyone sell the top bracket?

I'd like to figure out what the stock set-up(s) were before I start looking at some of the custom aluminum radiator posts. I know they have direct-fit aluminums from several manufactures...but...$$$.

[Chevy Fleetside]

Those 6 holes are used to bolt some metal flanges or sleeve or even plates if you want to call them that and it held the fan shroud in place. At least mine did. Mostly used for the V8 trucks.. I have the pieces of sheet metal in my garage somewhere. If I happen to see them I will snap a picture for you but don't hold your breath.

[billydonn]

There were two stock mounting schemes and you have pictures of both of them. The radiators both sit down in lower saddles (rubber pads) and are held down from the top by a single bracket (also with rubber padding). Your last pic appears to be some sort of crossflow rad that has been adapted use the later style stock mounting brackets.

Your first pic is of the earlier rad, used mostly I think for six cyllinders... maybe through 63 or so. It places the two lower cradles back away from the front support and uses a taller skillier rad and a different upper support bracket. The later radiator is wider and not as tall. Its lower cradles are bolted to the forward holes in the radiator crossmember... and its upper mounting bracket is different (shown in your second pic). A complication is that this later rad comes in both a "thick" and a "thin" version, and each of these has its own upper and lower mounting bracket. Both of these remain downflow rads and their tanks are NOT the same thickness. Here's pics of these two late style rads:

[66Gilbert]

The thin and thick radiator shown above. The thin looks like a 3 core radiator used on some 6 cylinder and V-8 engines with out A/C. The thick looks like a 4 core radiator used on V-8 engines with A/C or on 4X4's with a V-8. They have different mounting brackets top and bottom for 3 core or 4 core.

[Anthony Fremont]

My 66 GMC is like the second pic you posted. The inlet is centered in the top tank and the water neck points straight forward. I believe my radiator may be the original since the top tank is embossed with "Harrison", but it's in outstanding condition if it is. It sits in two saddles like the picture shows with rubbery foam padding. The top bracket has two pads and clamps the radiator in the center. I can take pictures tomorrow if you'd like.

[MikeN]

Tim, Modine sells a stock replacement V8 radiator, like the one in your lower photo, for about $240 at your local radiator shop. It is a new copper/brass radiator. If you can find a used V8 upper bracket (they are not reproduced as far as I know) you can then get the lower mounts from any of the truck parts houses and you are in business. It's a straight bolt-in. The Modine does have provisions for ATF cooler.

The V8 radiator sits on top of the frame rails, while the narrower I6 radiator slides down between the frame rails.

[TimC63]

Thanks for the help guys...I'm not going to hold my breath on finding a top bracket...I'd probably be better off fabbing one out.

I spoke with Brothers and supposedly they have options for firewall mounted radiators (utilizing the 6-holes). Now that I know the only way the radiators came from Chevy were in the cradle installation form, I don't know that I trust Brothers claim. I think I'll call back and verify with someone else.

Thanks again guys.

[MikeN]

Originally Posted by TimC63

Thanks for the help guys...I'm not going to hold my breath on finding a top bracket...I'd probably be better off fabbing one out.

I was afraid of not finding one either, but actually found two of them at a Super Chevy swap meet, and bought both for $20. I used one, gave the other to my brother-in-law for his 65 C10. I occasionally see them at swap meets. If you have fabrications skills though, it doesn't look like a difficult part to fab.

[TimC63]

One last question...

Is the top center of the radiator support factory bent/angled down towards the engine or is mine just tweaked?

[TimE]

Yours is tweaked. It should be square.

[billydonn]

Originally Posted by TimE

Yours is tweaked. It should be square.

Yep... should be square.

[rickf]

Originally Posted by MikeN

I was afraid of not finding one either, but actually found two of them at a Super Chevy swap meet, and bought both for $20. I used one, gave the other to my brother-in-law for his 65 C10. I occasionally see them at swap meets. If you have fabrications skills though, it doesn't look like a difficult part to fab.

The brackets are pretty easy to find, they are laying all over the gound at any junk yard that has these old trucks. Lots of people go in and they want the radiator, or maybe the radiator support. But those brackets are pretty robust, the one they already have at home is probably fine, so they drop it on the ground and take the other stuff.

[MikeN]

Tim, here's a couple of photos of the Modine V8 radiator installed in my 64 C10 with stock upper mount.







Please ignore the crappy fan, I used a junker for mocking up with the fan clutch for purposes of fabbing a shroud. The stock shroud won't accept an 18" fan.

[billysbowties]

Originally Posted by TimC63

One last question...

Is the top center of the radiator support factory bent/angled down towards the engine or is mine just tweaked?

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This usually happens when someone drops in a new motor and they try to drop it in a little early, just take your time after you find the replacement