Go Vette

My radiator in my '75 has a small leak and I want to take it out to have it pressure tested and maybe recored. The old Chilton book I have says the hood must be removed but the Chevy service manual doesn't mention it. Can anyone who's removed their radiator on a '75 tell me if the hood must come off?

MakoShark72

Dont know for certain, but sure would be a heck of alot easier with the hood off, I think.

Mick 72

For what you have to do to get the radiator back in, you are better off marking where the hinges are attached to the hood (using a scribe or washable paint) and getting a buddy to help you get it off. It's only six bolts and saves a lot of headache.

MotorHead

I agree about marking hinge location that will save you a ton of problems lining up the hood again. The hood is easy to take off.

That said I am not sure you really need to take it off just to re and re the rad ?

wcsinx

I really don't see how you'd get the rad out with the hood still on.

MotorHead

Maybe I'm wrong but I thought I did it before

wcsinx

Hmm .. I think in my head I had the rad shoved farther forward now that I look at some pics. Did you have to take the hood prop loose to let it swing farther up?

c31980

i dont know about the 75 ,,but on my 80 comes out with the hood on have done it so many times ,,just swaped my rad with new Aluminum one

redman76

Getting the hood off and on is a whole lot easier than getting the radiator out and in. Don't know if you can get out with the hood on, but agree with the others that it will make getting the radiator out and back in less PITA. I marked my bolt locations too, only forgot 6 months later when I repainted everything including my marks. Still, getting back on and aligning wasn't too bad. You'll definitely need a buddy to help.

Peterbuilt

SteveG75

Replace the mechanical fan with electrics. Without that darned shroud, I can get the fans and radiator out in 20 minutes with the hood on.

TheSkunkWorks

You might be able to R&R the rad without it, but done the right way it's really not all that hard to remove and re-install the hood.

camber

I JUST REPLACED MY RAD IN MY 73--HAD TO REMOVE THE SHROUD AND FAN--DID NOT REMOVE MY HOOD-- CAMBER

Go Vette Go

100% I have installed new radiators in my 69, 76 and 78 without removing the hoods. These are great step by step directions.

I will say two people makes it a ton easier particularly with the lower rad hose connector.

bigvette1

In a word yes. The clearances and bends are too tight to do it right. Mark up the brackets and take it off - 4 bolts. Makes your life easier.

Mod75

Have removed the radiator two times in 35 years in my 75. Did not remove the hood either time.

Remove the shroud and fan and have a helper pull it out

7T1vette

I've pulled the radiator without taking the hood off (SB '71 w/A/C). It's a real PITA...especially getting the shroud out [back in is even worse]. Whether you take the hood off or not, you need two people to tackle this job. The hood is too heavy/cumbersome for one person; so is the radiator.

marz

I took mine out and back in a few times before I just replaced it with an aluminum one. I never did take the hood off. You just have to angle it out when you come out with it. Not that hard really.

noonie

Good instructions.
One correction to those instructions.
There are 2 bolts holding the rad support to the vacuum tank underneath. These must be loose to tilt the core support forward.
Play it safe and cut cardboard to protect the fins.

I have done it myself several times on a 75 with a/c by myself with the hood on. 2 people makes it a lot easier.

Leftlane75

Just installed new Dewitts rad. and core support and it was easy without the hood. I just marked the location of the hood for easier install.