C1 '57 blackout dumb question

[Rod K.]

The radiator support with hood hinges and hood pop-up springs and brackets, etc, were installed prior to paint and blackout per the JG, pictures in Noland's book, etc. The question is, since the radiator itself apparently wasn't installed until after paint (same referrences), what were the hood pop-up brackets bolted to? The support has clearance holes, the rad has the weld nuts for the bracket bolts. How were the pop-ups held in place during paint? Were nuts used then removed when the rad was installed?

Thanks in advance.

[Ron B.]

Re: C1 '57 blackout dumb question

Rod;
If you look at the pop ups you will see that the top mounting hole is offset to the front of the car.. This allows the top bolt to mount to the core support and allows the radiator bracket to fit under the lower bolt.
I hope this helps explain how popups mount.
Ron

[Rod K.]

Re: C1 '57 blackout dumb question

Ron, thanks for the reply, but my '57 doesn't look like you describe. There are two bolt clearance holes in the pop-up bracket aligned vertically maybe 1-1/2 inches apart and located to mount the bracket on the rear face of the radiator support. There are matching clearance holes in the rear face of the support and matching weld nuts on the rad mounting flange, as well as two more weld nuts, one half way down and one at the bottom, four total each side, to mount the rad to the support. Since there are no weld nuts in place until the rad is mounted, I can't see how, short of using temporary nuts, the pop-up brackets are held in place during paint.

[Ron B.]

Re: C1 '57 blackout dumb question

Rod:
Today I looked at my 57 and you are correct! My memory is slipping,I was thinking of the offset on the fan shroud that fits over the pop ups.. The only reason I can think the popup might have been temporarly installed is to fit the hood prior to painting..?
Ron

[Rod K.]

Re: C1 '57 blackout dumb question

Ron, yes, I'd guess all the hood fit and alignment would have been completed prior to paint so the paint wouldn't have to be disturbed later. However, the JG states the rad is gloss black, no mention of blackout overspray, etc, and the pics in Noland's book of mid-'57 assy show pop-ups but no rad as the body is assembled and going through the paint line. A real mystery to me. Hope someone else might chime in. Thanks for your input.

[Rod K.]

Re: C1 '57 blackout dumb question

This is just to stir it up and try again. Thanks.