1958 radiator core support install issue...
Since I have a few days off, tried installing a radiator core support in my 1958 vette. The radiator core support is original, but not original to the car. All went well until I attempted to bolt the radiator core support to the baffle support bracket. The holes in the core support do not line up with the baffle bracket. See photo. Any ideas on how to fix this? I have confirmed that the bracket is correct. Could the holes in the core support have been drilled in the incorrect position? Or??.... Thanks for helping.
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Re: 1958 radiator core support install issue...
Update: looked at the core support I removed from the car. Its mounting holes are drilled higher in the support (not original position) to accommodate for this misalignment. I may have to modify the mounting holes in the new support to line up. Would rather not make this modification. Has anyone had this issue in the past? Any idea what may be causing this misalignment? Thanks. -
Re: 1958 radiator core support install issue...
Dont most of them have a stack of spacers under the support?
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Re: 1958 radiator core support install issue...
Wayne, there are spacers installed. I think one cushion and 3 rubber spacers. Everything else lines up (side fender skirt holes and holes in radiator core support extensions) as installed in the photo. If I were to add more spacers to bring the holes into alignment at the bottom, the top would move and be out of alignment. Correct?Comment
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Re: 1958 radiator core support install issue...
John, Is this part of a body-off restoration, or are you just replacing the support? Was there ever any damage to the nose on this car? Surround replaced?
Do a test with your fan shroud to see if it will mate properly to the support and the frame. If it does then you have the body shimmed properly for correct hood alignment and hood closure without hitting the air cleaner(carb car).
A way to bring a support up or down is to enlarge the four side holes in the inner skirts where it attaches. In your case you would have to raise the support up, but this creates a whole new set of problems. Like front edge hood alignment. You will want to test fit your hood to make sure you will have front edge alignment. Bringing the support too high will cause the hood to raise. You only have a little hinge "down" adjustment of the hood front edge, but much "up" adjustment.
Only other thought I have is that your inner skirts are set too low where bonded to the surround, causing the support to be too far down. There is a little bit of "room" to raise the surround away from the inner skirts. Carefully raise the front support where it's shimmed to see if it'll come up a bit. it may come up enough, and maybe with some side mount hole enlargement at the support sides, you can cheat it to fit.
Of course all of this will need to be done with front bumpers and their brackets loosened, or potentially fully removed, if they are installed.
Rich
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Re: 1958 radiator core support install issue...
John, that's a NO. By adding shims there, you are raising the rad support itself, the inner skirts(where both support extensions attach), and the body/front surround. All three work together in unison. What it will do is cause misalignment of the fan shroud to frame/rad support if it's aligned already. That's why I suggested that check above.
As mentioned, the inner skirts are bonded to the surround, but you have a teeny bit of "play" in the flexible fiberglass to adjust the difference at the front of the nose a little.
RichComment
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Re: 1958 radiator core support install issue...
Richard, thanks for your assistance. To answer some of your questions. I am replacing the core support in a car that has already been restored. Not sure how the incorrect support ended up in the car, but it did. So, the fan shroud and fan already line up nicely. Bumpers are on the car. I do not want to bring the support up because my hood fits perfectly with really no room for adjustment due to the height of the radiator.I discovered that I can pull down on the baffle somewhat (due to it being fiberglass and somewhat flexible) to gain about a half inch. I have also enlarged the core support holes a bit. Hopefully this will allow me to get it bolted down.Any issues with pulling down on the fiberglass lower valance/baffle to accomplish this?? Is that going to put stress on the entire front end or just the lower valance area?Comment
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Re: 1958 radiator core support install issue...
I wondered if you could just move the lower valence down a bit too. It'll put a bit of stress on the FG but it may be just enough. This may be your best, and possibly only solution to the issue.
I agree, you certainly don't want to ruin that nice hood alignment. It's one of the toughest things to get to look good because of the design of the hinges to support and fixed attachments to the inner skirts. Ideally you want the hood to rest below the surround at the front when the hinges are down on the support mounts. Then you raise it up to meet the surround.
Question....Did you have to modify the upper support horizontal bar at each end to get the hinges to mount to the support properly? I had a issue with the last one I did. They didn't relieve the corners like the originals. Pics below of original '59 and 2 pics of the repro that I had to cut. The bar came out to the edge, and I had to make that relief. CC offered to fix it but I already fixed it myself.
Rich
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Re: 1958 radiator core support install issue...
Richard, the support is an original, so it already had the relief cut into the bar. Wow, can't believe the repop did not have that done, well, I guess I can believe that!Will update you when I attempt the final assembly. Doing a bit of painting right now. ThanksComment
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