69 Big Block Radiator Removal

[Michael C.]

Mine is a 69, 427/390 with A/C, PS and A.I.R. The A/C compressor and A.I.R. are currently removed. I need to remove the radiator to see if I can get it re-cored.

I've read many old posts on this topic, but I'd like to see if I missed anything.

Upper and lower hoses have been removed and the shroud unbolted. I've seen a post about unbolting the passenger side upper control arm and moving it back to allow the shroud to be removed. This was described for a 70 (posted here). However, on my car the control arm cross shaft won't clear the mounting bolts because of the shroud (classic Catch 22). I tried tapping the bolts through the frame, but they wouldn't budge - don't want to force matters and regret it. Am I missing something about this approach? Maybe there is something different about the 70 construction.

I've seen other posts (e.g. this one) advocating removal of the shroud, radiator and support as a unit (hood first). Of course for me that incudes the A/C condensor. This seems to be a good approach to facilitate easier replacement of all seals. However, I wonder if there will still be an issue clearing the upper control arm. The front bushing is practically recessed into a cavity in the shroud. Maybe once the entire assembly is free, it can be moved forward enough to clear the control arm. ???

One post I saw (can't find it again) suggested the rad (w/o support) could be removed without removal of the shroud. I really don't see how.

Why can't this be as simple as described in four steps in the Chassis Service Manual?

Thanks for your thoughts / suggestions.

Mike

[Shawn W.]

Re: 69 Big Block Radiator Removal

Mike, I just got finished with rebuilding my 69 which is also a 427/390 HP AC, PS car. Another options would be to loosen/remove the bolts on the front mounting frame (3 on each side, 2 on the bottom, and 1 for the spacer bar). This gave me plenty of room to reinstall the radiator and shroud without messing with the A-arms.

Good luck.
Shawn

[Mike F.]

Re: 69 Big Block Radiator Removal

I have a 70 small block, removed the hood (4 bolts), removed the water pump fan, removed the 9 bolts for the core support ( 3 bolts each fender well, 2 bolts in lower crossmember, 1 bolt forward support arm), and pulled the shroud/radiator/core support as one unit. Pretty straight forward.

[Dick W.]

Re: 69 Big Block Radiator Removal

Removing the core support, radiator, and shroud as an assembly is the easiest. I remember an issue with one of the core support bolts on the RH side. Has to do with the shield for the A/C line. It has been 15 or so years since I have performed that procedure, but I believe I used a Dremmel tool to "gently massage" the shield. Also keep up with the number of shims under the core support and reinstall with the same number.

[Michael C.]

Re: 69 Big Block Radiator Removal

Thanks for the quick replies guys. I'll move forward with removing the whole works.

Mike

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: 69 Big Block Radiator Removal

Dick, I just went through removal of the core supprt and there is indeed a problem in that area. I just used a small pry bar to push down the fiberglass and was able to remove the bolt easily.
Jeff

Removing the core support, radiator, and shroud as an assembly is the easiest. I remember an issue with one of the core support bolts on the RH side. Has to do with the shield for the A/C line. It has been 15 or so years since I have performed that procedure, but I believe I used a Dremmel tool to "gently massage" the shield. Also keep up with the number of shims under the core support and reinstall with the same number.

[Jim T.]

Re: 69 Big Block Radiator Removal

Michael I have a 1970 350/300 factory air and a large shroud that has a piece at the bottom that I remove before removing the fan shroud. I lift and support the lower control arm before removing the control arm shaft nuts. Leaving the left shaft nut on the bolt I would use a punch to knock the bolt loosed from the frame. The bolt has a serrated finish that retains it in the frame. Removing the one bolt would give me move movement on the control arm to remove it from the other bolt.
I would remove the other bolt after the fan shroud was removed to allow easier installation of the control arm after the fan shroud was installed.
I have done this procedure a few times since I bought my 1970 new.

[Michael C.]

Re: 69 Big Block Radiator Removal

Jim, it was your previous posts that prompted me to try the control arm approach. I tried removing the bottom piece of the shroud, but even then I couldn't remove the shroud. With the shroud in way, it was impossible to move the arm off either bolt.

After removing all bolts associated with the radiator, support and condensor, I was then able to tilt those pieces out of the way then remove the shroud. Only then could I remove the radiator, etc. Fortunately I didn't have the issue with the side bolt(s) others ran into.

Even with everything out of the car, I had a heck of a time separating the radiator from the support. The lower braces were really tight/stuck, plus the seals practically bonded to the radiator and support - almost like super-glue. NEVER would have been able to remove only the radiator.

Off to the radiator shop in the AM. I've attached a photo to show the multitude of problem spots.

Thanks all, Mike
RadiatorLeaks.jpg

[Dick W.]

Re: 69 Big Block Radiator Removal

Jim, it was your previous posts that prompted me to try the control arm approach. I tried removing the bottom piece of the shroud, but even then I couldn't remove the shroud. With the shroud in way, it was impossible to move the arm off either bolt.

After removing all bolts associated with the radiator, support and condensor, I was then able to tilt those pieces out of the way then remove the shroud. Only then could I remove the radiator, etc. Fortunately I didn't have the issue with the side bolt(s) others ran into.

Even with everything out of the car, I had a heck of a time separating the radiator from the support. The lower braces were really tight/stuck, plus the seals practically bonded to the radiator and support - almost like super-glue. NEVER would have been able to remove only the radiator.

Off to the radiator shop in the AM. I've attached a photo to show the multitude of problem spots.

Thanks all, Mike
[ATTACH=CONFIG]45779[/ATTACH]

You will find it easier to assemble everything out of the car. Saves hide and time.

[Mike F.]

Re: 69 Big Block Radiator Removal

Why does a control arm bolt need to be removed or messed with? My 70 350, no A/C, has the big copper radiator and big plastic fan shroud, I didn't need to remove control arm bolts. Does this have something to do with an A/C car or do big block cars have an even bigger radiator and bigger fan shroud?

The OP states his A.I.R. Pump and A/C Compressor are removed, so what is in the way that you need to remove control arm bolts?

[Dick W.]

Re: 69 Big Block Radiator Removal

Why does a control arm bolt need to be removed or messed with? My 70 350, no A/C, has the big copper radiator and big plastic fan shroud, I didn't need to remove control arm bolts. Does this have something to do with an A/C car or do big block cars have an even bigger radiator and bigger fan shroud?

The OP states his A.I.R. Pump and A/C Compressor are removed, so what is in the way that you need to remove control arm bolts?

Big block radiator is one inch wider. Size does matter

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: 69 Big Block Radiator Removal

Why does a control arm bolt need to be removed or messed with? My 70 350, no A/C, has the big copper radiator and big plastic fan shroud, I didn't need to remove control arm bolts. Does this have something to do with an A/C car or do big block cars have an even bigger radiator and bigger fan shroud?

The OP states his A.I.R. Pump and A/C Compressor are removed, so what is in the way that you need to remove control arm bolts?

I had this same issue on my '69 A/C, small block car. Just last week I removed the radiator, shroud, A/C condenser, and radiator support. I wanted to remove the radiator and shroud first and then the support but, as OP said, the passenger sise a-arm was in the way. I unbolted the support which allowed me to move the radiator forward enough to get the hose outlet past the a-arm. Going back in it will all go in as one unit.
Jeff

[Michael C.]

Re: 69 Big Block Radiator Removal

Well, the local shop said it would charge "around" $500 to re-core my ailing radiator, so I ordered a new "direct fit" aluminum, painted black from DeWitts ($600 including shipping). Unfortunately they don't have one in stock, so I was told it should ship in one to two weeks. I know I'll find plenty to keep me busy in the meantime. I'll start a new post re water pump.

Mike

[Mike F.]

Re: 69 Big Block Radiator Removal

I had this same issue on my '69 A/C, small block car. Just last week I removed the radiator, shroud, A/C condenser, and radiator support. I wanted to remove the radiator and shroud first and then the support but, as OP said, the passenger sise a-arm was in the way. I unbolted the support which allowed me to move the radiator forward enough to get the hose outlet past the a-arm. Going back in it will all go in as one unit.
Jeff

Now it makes sense to me. People are trying to remove the radiator separately, then the core support. I removed the shroud/radiator/core support as one unit and didn't run into the control arm problem.