1973 L-82 (no A/C) Radiator Removal

[Timothy K.]

I'm in the process of removing the radiator from my '73 L-82 - (no A/c). It appeared pretty straight forward and according to the GM shop manual, just a simple three step process. I've gotten everything loose but can't get the radiator past the radiator support lip to pull it out of position. I can't remove the main radiator shroud because the upper A arms are in the way. Is there a trick I'm missing here ? At this point it appears that I'll have to remove the upper A arms (which I don't want to do). I've owned the '73 for almost 28 years so it's the original set up. It's a Duntov car so I'm not going to start cutting anything. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Tim - 26883

[Robert S.]

Re: 1973 L-82 (no A/C) Radiator Removal

I have done this task on two 74's and have also discussed with my local Corvette repair shop who do it the same way I did it. There is no way to wiggle the shroud out from the upper A arm that I know of. From where I think you are you need to remove the rear shroud extension piece, remove the fan and fan clutch, and remove all the bolts holding the radiator support to the car (bolts are along the sides and the bottom. You can then rotate forward the subassembly of the radiator, radiator support an the shroud enough to get the shroud out without damaging it. If you have an AC car you also need to remove the vacuum headlight actuators to gain enough space to rotate the assembly forward but since you do not have AC I think you will have enough room since there is no AC radiator.

[Bill C.]

Re: 1973 L-82 (no A/C) Radiator Removal

If you have not removed the hood - I would do so.

It makes getting things moved around WAY easier!

Then you will have plenty room to lift the core support/radiator from the car. I put mine in the car with the radiator and core support assembled - just need two people to manuver it around.
It also makes it very easy to miss the A-arms too.

[Harmon C.]

Re: 1973 L-82 (no A/C) Radiator Removal

I have done this task on two 74's and have also discussed with my local Corvette repair shop who do it the same way I did it. There is no way to wiggle the shroud out from the upper A arm that I know of. From where I think you are you need to remove the rear shroud extension piece, remove the fan and fan clutch, and remove all the bolts holding the radiator support to the car (bolts are along the sides and the bottom. You can then rotate forward the subassembly of the radiator, radiator support an the shroud enough to get the shroud out without damaging it. If you have an AC car you also need to remove the vacuum headlight actuators to gain enough space to rotate the assembly forward but since you do not have AC I think you will have enough room since there is no AC radiator.

Hi Tim
Robert is right on the money with his comments. The only thing that I do different is I leave the bottom radiator support bolt installed loose and just tip the shroud forward.

[Steven B.]

Re: 1973 L-82 (no A/C) Radiator Removal

I'm with Bill! I replaced the radiatorin my '77 L-82 a few years ago and the first thing I did was remove the hood. I don't know if there are differences between the '73 and '77 but after the hood was removed I hadvery little difficulty getting the radiator out and back in. I did notice quite a difference in the new pads as the radiator set up higher so a little more muscle was required pushing it snug.

[Floyd B.]

Re: 1973 L-82 (no A/C) Radiator Removal

We have a '73 L48 and have removed the radiator shroud twice since owning it. Both times it was accomplished without removing the A-arms. There is a bolt that secures the bottom passenger side corner that is especially difficult to remove because there is very little room between it and the chasis. Once all the bolts are out the trick is to first get the lower passenger corner free with a pretty good "yank" - I know that doesn't sound good. Make sure that you have it positioned so that the lower corner of the shroud is about free before you start yanking on it or you risk breaking the shroud. Once the lower passenger-side corner is completely free, rotate the shroud by lifting on the passenger side. The hood was removed both times we did it and I don't think we could have done it with the hood in place. As all C3 restorers know; getting the hood off is easy - gettting it back on, gapped correctly and making everything operate flawlessly is the hard part.