Radiator Support Removal - Late 69 L68

[Grahame M.]

Hi Everyone,

I'm ready to install the new Dewitt's radiator and have some questions about removing the radiator support. I understand there have been many posts on this subject but I decided to leave the support in when I removed the radiator to fix an overheating problem. The main reason I left it in place was because of a plate covering the top bolt on the passengers side and the concern that the front end may sag if I leave it out for several months as parts arrived slowly due to COVID.

I have the car on jacks located under the front lower A arm and two sets at the rear, one under the chassis rail just ahead of the rear wheel and under the lower shock mount to stop the rubbers from distorting.

My questions are:

- Is it ok to remove the plate and how do I secure it back in place? Glue, Fiberglass ?
- If I remove the support do I need to support the front clip from sagging if its only for a couple of weeks, maybe shorter?
- When reinstalling the Shroud, Radiator and Support as one unit, do I install the fan and clutch last?

I have attached a pic to help with identifying what the bracket is used for as I haven't seen any reference in any of the posts I've read

Any help on this is, as always, very much appreciated.

Cheers
Grahame

[Mike E.]

[Grahame M.]

Re: Radiator Support Removal - Late 69 L68

Thanks Mike, I appreciate you responding.

I think that's the way I'll go, I can mask off all around the support, treat it with rust dissolver (no rust, its in pretty good shape) and then paint it in my garage. Thanks for the suggestion on the cardboard, I already have plastic corflute cut to size for front and rear of the new radiator to protect it.

I thought the only way I could do this install was to do the fan and clutch last, I'm assuming leave the shroud loose but in place with the fan attached to the clutch?

Cheers
Grahame