Re-Install Radiator, Shroud and Fan

[Chris H.]

Re: Re-Install Radiator, Shroud and Fan

You have an AC car.....never mind.

[Grahame M.]

Re: Re-Install Radiator, Shroud and Fan

Hi Chris,

Yes its one of the more difficult jobs, they way I've done it on this car but hopefully moving the support forward will allow mw another 4-6 inches which will make all the difference.

Take Care
Grahame

[Grahame M.]

Re: Re-Install Radiator, Shroud and Fan

Hi Chris,

Good comment, I'm starting to think that and why I wanted a convertible with AC in Australia. I'm sure It'll be a different story when is all done, I'll love it again.

Cheers
Grahame

[Rick G.]

Re: Re-Install Radiator, Shroud and Fan

Hi Grahame,

The only thing I can add to the excellent advice you have been given, is to protect your radiator core with cardboard during installation. Speaking from experience, it is very easy to damage the core especially if you are working alone.

Rick

[Grahame M.]

Re: Re-Install Radiator, Shroud and Fan

Thank you Rick,

Its great advice and i have some thick corflute plastic already cut to size for the new radiator, front and back. The Dewitts direct fit aluminium radiators are very pricey to get too Australia so thats why i've reached out to the knowledgeable people on this site to make sure i have everything covered as best as possible.

Thanks again Rick.

Cheers
Grahame

[Mark E.]

Re: Re-Install Radiator, Shroud and Fan

Thank you Rick,

Its great advice and i have some thick corflute plastic already cut to size for the new radiator, front and back. The Dewitts direct fit aluminium radiators are very pricey to get too Australia so thats why i've reached out to the knowledgeable people on this site to make sure i have everything covered as best as possible.

Thanks again Rick.

Cheers
Grahame

While tilting the core support forward, be careful not to push the radiator into the headlight vacuum canisters. It's easier to do than you might think.

[Grahame M.]

Re: Re-Install Radiator, Shroud and Fan

Yeah, I was looking at that and thinking how hard it is to take them off, maybe I'm biting off more than i can chew. I'll place some corflute or heavy cardboard across the actuator to protect from any damage.

Cheers
Grahame

[James G.]

Re: Re-Install Radiator, Shroud and Fan

Couple of years ago helped another member do his 71 BB with AC, like mentioned we also used corrugated to protect the fins and tilted the rad support forward to install the recored rad.

[Grahame M.]

Re: Re-Install Radiator, Shroud and Fan

Thanks James,

its very tough and not that thick. I think it will protect the radiator better than cardboard.

Cheers
Grahame

[Grahame M.]

Re: Re-Install Radiator, Shroud and Fan

Hi Everyone,

Well, job is almost completed and many thanks to all who provided guidance. I don't think 50 year old cars like mixing new parts with old ones so I have a couple of questions that someone on this site may have experienced and be able to help with the answers:

1. Dewitt's direct fit Radiator fits in surround fine (probably better that Harrison) but when i tried to fit original shroud it seems to hit the lower radiator hose tube and pushes it toward the Drivers side a little. I'm only talking about a 1/4in or so to fit to lower passenger side stud. After being off the car and so old its probably changed shape a little, I know I certainly have. This is also causing the lower (Ext part of the shroud to come into contact with the fan when turned by hand. I can move the shroud to stop this but it all seems to be stemming from the lower hose tube.

2. In the same area, I found that once I fitted the the lower Radiator hose it seems to be touching the chassis at the straight section. I removed it and took about half an in off the end that connects to the water pump, still no joy. Hoses are GM logo restoration hoses so I'm assuming they are correct.

Everything else fits fine thanks to knowledgeable people on this forum, although as Mark suggested I should replace the AC hoses. Two broke as I was removing them. Very brittle after this may years and not cheap to buy or get to Australia.

Cheers
Grahame

[Mark E.]

Re: Re-Install Radiator, Shroud and Fan

1. Dewitt's direct fit Radiator fits in surround fine (probably better that Harrison) but when i tried to fit original shroud it seems to hit the lower radiator hose tube and pushes it toward the Drivers side a little. I'm only talking about a 1/4in or so to fit to lower passenger side stud. After being off the car and so old its probably changed shape a little, I know I certainly have. This is also causing the lower (Ext part of the shroud to come into contact with the fan when turned by hand. I can move the shroud to stop this but it all seems to be stemming from the lower hose tube.

If it fit with the original radiator, it's unlikely the problem is the shroud. Can you position the radiator more to the right to provide more clearance for the shroud?

Failing that, two likely causes: 1) The replacement radiator is too long. My old radiator, which was re-cored in the past, was a bit too long making it difficult to R&R. I used a replacement core that was 1/2" shorter which made all the difference. My point is the length of the radiator, even down to a fraction of an inch, is critical for proper fit in these cars; 2) The outlet tube is not properly oriented and/or positioned.

2. In the same area, I found that once I fitted the the lower Radiator hose it seems to be touching the chassis at the straight section. I removed it and took about half an in off the end that connects to the water pump, still no joy. Hoses are GM logo restoration hoses so I'm assuming they are correct.

This problem may also be related to fitment issues with the new radiator; again, maybe the outlet tube isn't properly oriented. With that said, replacement hoses, even original ones, often need to be trimmed to fit. Can you post a photo?

To verify the above, you can reinstall the shroud with the original radiator and see how things fit. If the new radiator is the problem, DeWitts will hopefully take care of you.

Everything else fits fine thanks to knowledgeable people on this forum, although as Mark suggested I should replace the AC hoses. Two broke as I was removing them. Very brittle after this may years and not cheap to buy or get to Australia.

Cheers
Grahame[/QUOTE]

[Grahame M.]

Re: Re-Install Radiator, Shroud and Fan

1. Dewitt's direct fit Radiator fits in surround fine (probably better that Harrison) but when i tried to fit original shroud it seems to hit the lower radiator hose tube and pushes it toward the Drivers side a little. I'm only talking about a 1/4in or so to fit to lower passenger side stud. After being off the car and so old its probably changed shape a little, I know I certainly have. This is also causing the lower (Ext part of the shroud to come into contact with the fan when turned by hand. I can move the shroud to stop this but it all seems to be stemming from the lower hose tube.

If it fit with the original radiator, it's unlikely the problem is the shroud. Can you position the radiator more to the right to provide more clearance for the shroud. I'll have another look this week but when i pulled the radiator and shroud the lower mounting stud for the shroud was broken. I've since fixed this but just can't get it over the new stud. I'll also take the top shroud bracket off and see if its having any effect on the positioning of the shroud. I also thought the top shroud seal (new) might be pulling the shroud up and needs to compress a little?

Failing that, two likely causes: 1) The replacement radiator is too long. My old radiator, which was re-cored in the past, was a bit too long making it difficult to R&R. I used a replacement core that was 1/2" shorter which made all the difference. My point is the length of the radiator, even down to a fraction of an inch, is critical for proper fit in these cars; 2) The outlet tube is not properly oriented and/or positioned. I checked new against old and they are the same size. I've also contacted Dewitt's and have a response so i need to take photo's of the lower hose tube. I didn't think to check the orientation against the old one as so many people on this and other forums say it just slips in.

2. In the same area, I found that once I fitted the the lower Radiator hose it seems to be touching the chassis at the straight section. I removed it and took about half an in off the end that connects to the water pump, still no joy. Hoses are GM logo restoration hoses so I'm assuming they are correct.

This problem may also be related to fitment issues with the new radiator; again, maybe the outlet tube isn't properly oriented. With that said, replacement hoses, even original ones, often need to be trimmed to fit. Can you post a photo? Am i correct in taking some off the hose on the water pup side to lift away from the chassis?

To verify the above, you can reinstall the shroud with the original radiator and see how things fit. If the new radiator is the problem, DeWitts will hopefully take care of you.

Everything else fits fine thanks to knowledgeable people on this forum, although as Mark suggested I should replace the AC hoses. Two broke as I was removing them. Very brittle after this may years and not cheap to buy or get to Australia.

Cheers
Grahame

[Mark E.]

Re: Re-Install Radiator, Shroud and Fan

1. Dewitt's direct fit Radiator fits in surround fine (probably better that Harrison) but when i tried to fit original shroud it seems to hit the lower radiator hose tube and pushes it toward the Drivers side a little. I'm only talking about a 1/4in or so to fit to lower passenger side stud. After being off the car and so old its probably changed shape a little, I know I certainly have. This is also causing the lower (Ext part of the shroud to come into contact with the fan when turned by hand. I can move the shroud to stop this but it all seems to be stemming from the lower hose tube.

If it fit with the original radiator, it's unlikely the problem is the shroud. Can you position the radiator more to the right to provide more clearance for the shroud.I'll have another look this week but when i pulled the radiator and shroud the lower mounting stud for the shroud was broken. I've since fixed this but just can't get it over the new stud. I'll also take the top shroud bracket off and see if its having any effect on the positioning of the shroud. I also thought the top shroud seal (new) might be pulling the shroud up and needs to compress a little?
Definitely repair and align the bottom stud properly. They should slip on with no tension. I've seen several of these cars with broken lower shroud mounting studs and/or broken mounting tabs on the shroud. My guess is many mechanics don't have the patience to piece it together correctly. The bottom must be well secured because when mounted, the shroud is in tension between the lower mounts and the upper mounting bracket. To align the shroud with the fan, gently pull the shroud up to the desired position, and while holding it in position, tighten the two bolts that go into the adjustment slots in the upper bracket. The manual and AIM specify the fan blade to shroud clearance but it's about one finger width. I check alignment by rotating the fan with my finger on the tip of the blade and rubbing along the circumference of the shroud. If it won't align properly by adjusting the upper bracket, you'll need to play with the shims at the bottom of the core support and maybe the motor mounts.

Failing that, two likely causes: 1) The replacement radiator is too long. My old radiator, which was re-cored in the past, was a bit too long making it difficult to R&R. I used a replacement core that was 1/2" shorter which made all the difference. My point is the length of the radiator, even down to a fraction of an inch, is critical for proper fit in these cars; 2) The outlet tube is not properly oriented and/or positioned. I checked new against old and they are the same size. I've also contacted Dewitt's and have a response so i need to take photo's of the lower hose tube. I didn't think to check the orientation against the old one as so many people on this and other forums say it just slips in.
I've learned the hard way to carefully compare the new part with the original.

2. In the same area, I found that once I fitted the the lower Radiator hose it seems to be touching the chassis at the straight section. I removed it and took about half an in off the end that connects to the water pump, still no joy. Hoses are GM logo restoration hoses so I'm assuming they are correct.

This problem may also be related to fitment issues with the new radiator; again, maybe the outlet tube isn't properly oriented. With that said, replacement hoses, even original ones, often need to be trimmed to fit. Can you post a photo? Am i correct in taking some off the hose on the water pump side to lift away from the chassis?
Yes, it's common to trim a new hose on each end for proper fitment. Measure twice, cut once. :-) They're typically made a bit longer than needed. Does your car have two lower radiator hoses with a metal tube in between?

[Grahame M.]

Re: Re-Install Radiator, Shroud and Fan

Thanks Mark,

I appreciate the feedback. My car has the solid rubber (with spring) hose so I'll have to trim at the Water pump end as there's more to play with. I was only looking at the 70's lower hose components last night, whilst not correct could fix my problem. I did also check I'd purchased the correct hose from Paragon last night as well, thinking i had ordered the wrong one. Alas, it was correct.

I'll be back into it on the weekend, I'll let you know how it goes.

Once its on the ground again, timing this thing will be the next battle, lucky i have all the papers from Lars and he has been a big help with my questions.

Cheers and stay safe
Grahame