patriotcommercial

I just installed the radiator in my 1973 big block for about the fifth time in the 21 years I have owned it. Always a pain. I tried the radiator and then the shroud, no go. Then I tried the shroud followed by the radiator, again no luck. Then I took the top two bolts out of the radiator support on each side, loosened the bottom bolts on the sides, removed the two bolts holding it to the cross tube. Then I tilted the radiator support forward, put the shroud against the engine (fan is off) and wiggled the radiator between the two. That worked but I had a hard time getting the bottom of the shroud over the two mounting bolts on the radiator support.

What's the correct way to get this installed. Has anyone tried bolting the radiator to the support, mount the shroud and then install in the car as a unit ? How did the factory install these parts ??

Blue73Shark

Check out this thread which is running now:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...-not-easy.html

Fran

MajD

You can buy the assembly manual (AIM) for your year and it will show you how the parts were put on during assembly. I have a 79, and in my experience, the best way to remove the radiator is to remove the shroud, and to do that, I have to remove the fan from the water pump first.

JimT

May have to split the shroud in half, then glue/screw it back together and paint it after installation.
Good luck.

CaseyJones

If an 80 is anything like a 79. then I had to remove the fan and clutch, remove the shroud mounts, pick up on it a little to get it loose at the bottom (two tabs that pop into the radiator support at the bottom)and then tilt it forward, remove the two top radiator brackets, take the radiator and trans cooler hoses loose or off, and then lift it out. I did it alone without mishap or injury but it took a long Saturday afternoon.

I removed the leaky, rotten original radiator and installed a new four core I was lucky enough to purchase from a fellow forum member.

rponfick

I did it as a unit on my '69 BB when I installed Dewitt's Becool radiator last winter. Much easier than individually.

Ralph.

Mod75

In 39 years i have pulled my radiator 5 times on my 75.
I do remove the fan and some pulleys.

I say split the shroud at the bottom, just get it over with and enjoy it, makes life sooooo much easier. Wife suggested it 25 years ago.