69 Radiator support to crossmember "special" shims

[Greg L.]

What would be the best way to go about setting up the crossmember for the radiator support?

Would you let the nose clip just hang under it's own weight and then raise the crossmember to the rad support and tighten the extentions to the frame or do you "preload" the crossmember so that it takes some of the weight of the nose clip? If it should be preloaded then how do you know how much to preload??? Thanks

[Greg L.]

69 Radiator support to crossmember "special" shims

I'm trying to properly set up this crossmember and now I have about a 3/16" gap between it and the radiator support. Is it typical to have shims here and if so what normaly would be the total thickness/amount?

Also, I see in the assembly manual there is reference to a "special" shim p/n 3952926 to be used here. Does anyone know what this shim looks like or how thick it is and if just one per location is used or are they "as required"? Thanks

[Alan S.]

Re: 69 Radiator support to crossmember "special" shims

Hi Greg,
I believe the shims were used as required.
Take a look at ZBL-369 and M-3648 at Zip Products. I believe that's what was used.
Regards,
Alan

[Dallas K.]

Re: How to adjust the radiator support crossmember?

I had the same problem. I raised the crossmember by way of the frame extentions until the fan was centered in the shroud. I used a floor jack and a 2 X 4 to lift up the nose then tightened the bolts in the extentions. Don't know if this was the right way or not, but it seemed to work for me.

[Gene M.]

Re: How to adjust the radiator support crossmember?

I had the same problem. I raised the crossmember by way of the frame extentions until the fan was centered in the shroud. I used a floor jack and a 2 X 4 to lift up the nose then tightened the bolts in the extentions. Don't know if this was the right way or not, but it seemed to work for me.

I basically did the same thing to center the fan on my '68. It has been in same position now for over 28 years and still looks good. Body does not appeared stressed. I was reinstalling all the original pieces to the '68 so fit was not an issue. The entire body is virgin, unhit.

My recollection is the lift was under 1/2" around a 1/4" would be more accurate. Bumper, bumperettes, hood fit should all be verified prior to satisfaction with position of crossmember. (Funny how I remember things about my cars but can't recall peoples names.) I could supply dimensions of frame etc, to ground if anybody needs measurements. That way it would factor out tires size and suspension position. It's winter stored on a super level sealed garage floor.

[Russ S.]

Re: How to adjust the radiator support crossmember?

The front end should be supported. Just raise it up about 1/4 inch to take it's weight off of the fenders.

[Greg L.]

Re: How to adjust the radiator support crossmember?

Thanks guys that's all good info and just what I was looking for.

Alan, I looked those shims up but they are the ones that go on the sides of the radiator support. Other vendors have them and I was going to order a set until I noticed that the 69 assembly manual shows that these and the ones between the rad support and cross member are different and also go so far as to call the lower ones "special" shims.

Does anyone know if these "special" shims really are pretty much the same as the ones that go on the sides or if they are quite different and more like a spacer in size and thickness?

Typically how much space should there be between the rad support and the cross member? Like I say I have about 3/16"..maybe 1/4" tops and to me it looks like a lot but if that's how they were built I'll just put in that may shims and be done with it.

[Alan S.]

Re: How to adjust the radiator support crossmember?

Hi Greg,
The second number, (3648), is I believe, for the shims that were used under the the core support.
The picture seems to indicate they have a little more 'surface' than the shims (369) used on the sides of the core support.
Maybe?
Regards,
Alan

[Greg L.]

Re: How to adjust the radiator support crossmember?

Yes Alan you are correct about that. I initially did a product search of those numbers in their catalogue but only the side shims showed up for me but I can see now that the ones you refer to should be the right ones.

Now I wonder how many there would typically be at each location. I'd need 3-4 on each side to take up my spacing but to me that looks like a lot.

[Russ S.]

Re: How to adjust the radiator support crossmember?

Yes Alan you are correct about that. I initially did a product search of those numbers in their catalogue but only the side shims showed up for me but I can see now that the ones you refer to should be the right ones.

Now I wonder how many there would typically be at each location. I'd need 3-4 on each side to take up my spacing but to me that looks like a lot.

I don't think three would be too many but four might be getting there. I have to admit tho that I haven't worked a lot with 86-72 vettes.

[Alan S.]

[Douglas P.]

Re: How to adjust the radiator support crossmember?

Greg,

Yes Alan you are correct about that. I initially did a product search of those numbers in their catalogue but only the side shims showed up for me but I can see now that the ones you refer to should be the right ones.

The shims currently available as "Radiator Support to Frame" or "Radiator Core Support" (Zip M-3648, or Paragon 8904) are much different than those found in my early '69 BB. (See attached photo comparing a shim pulled from my vehicle vs. a replacement shim) My shims measure 3" x 2 1/8" with a slot measuring 1/2" x 1 3/4" located at the center of the shim. The original shim also has a slot lead-in that is 1" wide at the opening that tapers in over a 1/4" (45 degree angle). [Note: The available replacement shim measures only 1 11/16" x 1 1/4" with an offset slot that is 1/2" wide.]

69CoreSupportShimComparison.jpg

So far, I have not been able to locate a reproduction shim matching the ones found in my car, perhaps someone else will be able to provide some insight as to use and availability of this "larger" shim?

Doug

[Greg L.]

Re: How to adjust the radiator support crossmember?

Thanks Doug,
I'd be interested to hear what other say as well about your shims. I just ordered a few from Zip but if they are wrong and yours are correct I'll use your dimensions to make my own. How thick are your shims?

[Douglas P.]

Re: How to adjust the radiator support crossmember?

Greg,

Thanks Doug,
I'd be interested to hear what other say as well about your shims. I just ordered a few from Zip but if they are wrong and yours are correct I'll use your dimensions to make my own. How thick are your shims?

Due to the condition of the shims removed from my vehicle, it is difficult to determine their original thickness. That said, I'd estimate that they were 1/16" thick.

Doug

[Greg L.]

Re: How to adjust the radiator support crossmember?

Thanks, Doug, I think 1/16" is about right. Are they all the same thickness or could some be 1/8" as well? Do you know roughly how many were at each location?

Greg