Radiator removal 69 Big Block:

[Dick Bottis]

Having a problem getting the radiator out. I have followed instructions in the service manual but I can't seem to clear the lower outlet. I can't get the fan shroud to fall forward enough to pull it straight out. I even removed the fan & clutch assembly and that didn't help much.

I don't want to remove the support assembly if I don't have to. However, if I have to remove the support assembly are there any precautions I should take?

[Jim T.]

Re: Radiator removal 69 Big Block:

Best advise I can give if from practical experience multiple times on my 70. Put a jack under the shock location on the lower control arm and jack it up to remove the tire to make it easier. Then just unbolt the upper control arm and pull it into the wheel well. The upper control arm stud closest to the engine can be knocked out, it has a serrated edge on the bolt to secure it. This will work.

[Dan M.]

Re: Radiator removal 69 Big Block:

Dick,

I've taken my BB 69 radiator out using the following procedure. First remove hood make a note of any shims under the hinges. Loosen clamps on the upper radiator hose and remove from thermostat housing. Next loosen the lower hose at the water pump and remove. Next remove the bolts (three per side if I remember correctly) that hold the radiator core support to the inner fenders. You will also have to remove from under the car the two bolts from the bottom of the core that go through the two lower radiator cushions. There is also a brace in the middle of the bottom of the core support that will need to be unbolted from the support but you can leave attached to the nose brace. NOTE: there may also be shims in the side as well as under the core support so just do the usual bag and tag.

I know this may sound a bit extreme but I've found it to be the most efficient as it allows you to install the seals and shroud outside of the car and install as one piece. In addition with the hood removed allows the unit to be dropped in without scraping/scratching things. I'm sure there are more than one way to do this but the above is the way I would do it.

Dan

NCRS # 35068

[Chuck G.]

Re: Radiator removal 69 Big Block:

Dan is 100% correct IMHO. Remove the shroud, radiator, and core support as a unit. Reinstall it the same way. You can then easly "assemble" this as a unit with new seals, etc.

The radiator won't come out unless the shroud is out. The shroud won't come out because it won't clear the upper A frames, and you can't pull the core support far enough forward to get ANYTHING to go. I've "been there, done that" before. I'm sure this is why you see so many shrouds cut in half. "BUBBA" didn't want to do it right, so he cut the shroud in half. Chuck

[Verle R.]

Re: Radiator removal 69 Big Block:

I just removed the radiator from a 69 BB.

Removed the hood.
unbolted the radiator support as noted above.
pushed the top of the radiator support forward.
pulled the radiator from between the support and fan shroud.

The support and shroud can now be removed if so desired, but was not necessary for my purposes.

Verle

[Dick Bottis]

Re: Radiator removal 69 Big Block:

I appreciate the recommendations.
Even before I asked for help I was thinking that the only way I was going to get it out was to remove the support, but I wasn't sure if there was any other options. After reviewing both suggestions and looking at why I undertook this project I opted to remove the radiator support. It will give me more access to do some additional restoration.

Because I had already unbolted the radiator and shroud it was a little more challenging when I tried to lift out the support, radiator, and shroud all at once but I managed to get everything out. Next time (I hope there isn't one) I'll know to remove it as one piece.

My BB is an L68, when I bought it the tri-power was missing. Last year I found one on e-bay and planned the installation for this winter. Since I was replacing hoses and at first I didn't think the radiator was ever removed so after 140K miles and 35 years I thought it might be a good idea to have it cleaned and restored. However, the radiator was out at some time as the only seal on the support was the one on the right and the air dam on top.

Interesting discovery my car has a build date of June 1969. The seals on the support do not have holes for PIFs. Also, the air dam on the top was only 20 inches. When looking in catalogs they list E69 (no PIF, air dam 20 inches) and L69 (with PIF, air dam 227 inches and 2 PIF).

When I checked the judging manual I couldn't find anything on this. Does this mean the support was replaced with the wrong part or could the suppliers be wrong?

Dick