1968 Radiator Core Support

[John B.]

I've finally begun a frame-off on my 68 L36. Yesterday I removed the core support. The good news is that it is not rusted out. However, the lower radiator support saddles are attached to the core support with a bolt and some pop-rivits. There is a support bracket under the saddles that is welded to the support and the saddles are pop rivited to that in addition to being bolted through the support. Hard to believe that this is correct, although it has functioned fine for the 10 years that I've owned the car. How are the bottom saddles attached? Anyone have a picture?

[Wayne W.]

Re: 1968 Radiator Core Support

Someone has made some repairs there.

[Michael D.]

Re: 1968 Radiator Core Support

Someone has made some repairs there.

I agree. If memory serves, the AIM shows them bolting up.

[Terry B.]

Re: 1968 Radiator Core Support

Hi John,

I went out to the garage to see if I could help you out with my '68 L-36. With the radiator in, you cannot see any attachments. If you could take a picture of the other side of your core support, I could see how it compares to mine. Your's however is in better shape than mine was starting out. I had to have it welded as there were rust pockets at the bottom. I don't think a judge will be able to tell about the rivits and if they do see them, the deduct will be very small if any. It would not be worth purchasing a new one.

Terry

[Grant W.]

Re: 1968 Radiator Core Support

I've finally begun a frame-off on my 68 L36. Yesterday I removed the core support. The good news is that it is not rusted out. However, the lower radiator support saddles are attached to the core support with a bolt and some pop-rivits. There is a support bracket under the saddles that is welded to the support and the saddles are pop rivited to that in addition to being bolted through the support. Hard to believe that this is correct, although it has functioned fine for the 10 years that I've owned the car. How are the bottom saddles attached? Anyone have a picture?

I agree with Wayne that someone has repaired it. I also checked the 68 AIM manual and no bolts. The support brackets were spot welded at the mfg.

Take them off and re-spot weld them or fill in the holes by using a mig welder, or better yet a tig welder and then grind flat on the rad and then put the supports back on and braze the holes where the bolt hole is and the rivot hole. Also braze the bottom corners for more support and then repaint.
Hope this helps, Grant

[John C.]

Re: 1968 Radiator Core Support

John

Attached are a couple pictures of the lower support brackets on my 68 big block core support. It is currently in the car so you can't see everything, but they give you idea of what the original mounting looked like. No bolts or rivets, everything is spot welded.

John

[John B.]

Re: 1968 Radiator Core Support

Thanks to everyone that replied. The pictures that John Carlson sent give me exactly what I need. I will remove the brackets, weld them on, and fill the holes.

John