Need help identifying a support rod for the radiator/core support

[Mark E.]

Your help is appreciated with identifying a mystery part.

After removing and replacing the radiator and core support from my 70 LS5 C60 car, I now have an extra part which is a support rod of some sort. It's about 17" long, has a 45 deg bend on one end that's threaded and a shallow bend with a slotted hole on the other end (see first 3 photos).

It's NOT the rod that goes from the front bumper to the bottom of the core support shown as part # 3974016 "ROD- RAD. SUPT." on AIM 11/13-A5- that's already installed as shown in the last photo.

I recall not tagging it when removed because I felt it obvious where it went.
I've studied the AIM but couldn't find any support rods like this in the front of the car other than the one already installed.

Where does rod this go?

I'll tag this thread with keywords "dumb questions by amateur owner" and "yet another example of owner who can't put his car back together".

Mystery Rod.JPGMystery Rod 2.JPGMystery Rod 3.JPGRod bumper to core supt.JPG

[Alan S.]

Re: Need help identifying a support rod for the radiator/core support

Hi Mark,
Take a look at UPC 11, Sheet A1, Item A12. (1971 AIM)
It shows a support rod running to the TOP of the core support.
Is it possible that a/c cars had 2 support rods?
It's not shown on either the radiator or a/c sheets?!?
Maybe miss-drawn?
Regards,
Alan

[Mark E.]

Re: Need help identifying a support rod for the radiator/core support

I don't have a 71 AIM and that sheet in the 70 AIM doesn't show that item.

It goes from the top of the core support to where?

Yes, I took two support rods of the car.

Thanks,

[Alan S.]

Re: Need help identifying a support rod for the radiator/core support

Hi Mark,
The AIM as it sometimes is proves to be a bit of a tease. (This is why each AIM should come with a rubber mallet so the user can beat it against his head on occasion.)
The brace appears in that drawing but not anywhere else in the manual that I can see! Note the part of the brace shown is configured like the lower brace you already have in place!
That's why I said it may be just a drawing with an error.
Is there a hole in your core support in about that location? The threaded end of the brace could pass through it.
My car doesn't have a/c so I'm not at all familiar with the changes to cars when a/c was ordered.
Hopefully someone will be along soon with the answer you need!
Regards,
Alan

[Terry M.]

Re: Need help identifying a support rod for the radiator/core support

Your help is appreciated with identifying a mystery part.

After removing and replacing the radiator and core support from my 70 LS5 C60 car, I now have an extra part which is a support rod of some sort. It's about 17" long, has a 45 deg bend on one end that's threaded and a shallow bend with a slotted hole on the other end (see first 3 photos).

It's NOT the rod that goes from the front bumper to the bottom of the core support shown as part # 3974016 "ROD- RAD. SUPT." on AIM 11/13-A5- that's already installed as shown in the last photo.

I recall not tagging it when removed because I felt it obvious where it went.
I've studied the AIM but couldn't find any support rods like this in the front of the car other than the one already installed.

Where does rod this go?

I'll tag this thread with keywords "dumb questions by amateur owner" and "yet another example of owner who can't put his car back together".

[ATTACH=CONFIG]61912[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]61913[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]61914[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]61915[/ATTACH]

Mark

Take a look at your 1970 AIM UPC C60, sheet A9. Any chance it is one of those braces labeled "PROD BRACE RODS"?

Alan: it is the same UPC & sheet number in the 1971 AIM, if you want to look.

[Alan S.]

Re: Need help identifying a support rod for the radiator/core support

Hi Terry,
I saw that sheet and wondered about them too.
The braces shown all seem to be configured to mount to a separate bolt, plate assembly, or reinforcement, so I didn't think that the one Mark is asking about could be one of the 4 shown on A9 because of it's configuration.
But again, the AIM drawing can sometimes be very misleading!
???
Regards,
Alan

It really seems to me that an upper support rod (as I guessed) would have a difficult making it's way through the area of the headlight relays on it's way to the bumper so might not be close to even being possible.

[Mark E.]

Re: Need help identifying a support rod for the radiator/core support

Thanks Alan and Terry.

Yes, there is a threaded hole in the top of the core support where AIM shows one end of the A12 support rod. I held the rod to that hole in a variety of positions, but it's not apparent where the other end would go (the possibilities are limited since the hood needs clearance to open and the AC condenser creates some interference). The rod in the drawing looks like it has almost a 90 deg bend at the end, while my rod is bent about 45 degrees.

When I'm home this evening, I'll take a look at AIM UPC C60, sheet A9.

This is a bit embarrassing since I vaguely remember removing it and I'm sure where the rod goes will be obvious when solved.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Need help identifying a support rod for the radiator/core support

It's NOT the rod that goes from the front bumper to the bottom of the core support shown as part # 3974016 "ROD- RAD. SUPT." on AIM 11/13-A5- that's already installed as shown in the last photo.

It sure looks like the lower support rod that I installed in a 76 about 6 months ago, which differs somewhat in shape from the one you have in photo #4 installed in your car. Any chance it's the incorrect item, or one from another car?

[Mark E.]

Re: Need help identifying a support rod for the radiator/core support

It sure looks like the lower support rod that I installed in a 76 about 6 months ago, which differs somewhat in shape from the one you have in photo #4 installed in your car. Any chance it's the incorrect item, or one from another car?

I never removed the rod in photo #4, but (obviously) did remove the mystery rod. So both rods were installed before I started this project.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Need help identifying a support rod for the radiator/core support

Interesting.
See Corvette Central Part#:423045

http://www.parts123.com/corvettecentral/dyndetail.pta?catalog=0000050g&ukey=11007

[Mark E.]

Re: Need help identifying a support rod for the radiator/core support

Interesting.
See Corvette Central Part#:423045

http://www.parts123.com/corvettecent...50g&ukey=11007

This Corvette Central link shows what looks like the mystery rod, and says it's for a 73-79.

And this Corvette Central link http://www.parts123.com/corvettecent...50g&ukey=26241

shows the rod that's already installed on my 70.

I'm really confused now. Is there only one nose support rod per car? And somehow my 1970 had two installed?

[Patrick H.]

Re: Need help identifying a support rod for the radiator/core support

As far as I know only 1 per car. However, now you know why I asked if you're sure that part came from your car. It's the exact match for a later car.

I would leave yours alone as your photo 4 shows the correct rod installed.

[Mark E.]

Re: Need help identifying a support rod for the radiator/core support

Thanks Patrick. One nose support rod per car it is...

It still bugs me that I have the extra rod I removed. I only have one Corvette, so it didn't come off another car.