shoptek

I ordered a new core support exactly a month ago, and recently received it (but that is another story that I could title POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE or Lying to the customer 101).
I got the old support out, had the old radiator recored, went to put it all back together and the rad did not fit properly in the support!!!! To say I was pizzed would be an understatement. I figured they recored the rad with a core 1/8-1/4 inch too wide across, as this is as far off the tanks are from fitting into the mounting cradles on the new support, both top and bottom.

I brought the rad and support to the rad. shop before work today, convinced they screwed up the recore size. They still had the old core, and it is IDENTICAL in size with the replacement core-----so the support was the problem!!!
The rad. shop offered to keep the support and rad and mount them for me (no charge).

Has anyone else had issues with replacement supports??? I was told by the
gentleman ( :bs ) who I got the support from that they use GM's tooling :bs , so it should be an easy swap!!!

Larry B.

Bummer... I have had some replacement part fit problems from time to time. I had a real bad problem with a rear spring one time.

mrvette

I think I bought my radiator support reproduction for about 250 bux at the last Cypress gardens location show....about 4-5 years ago...at that time, I noticed the metal was considerable thinner than original...I dusted out the rust and junk from the original and hefted them in each hand...the new one was considerably lighter even with the rust shaken loose from the original...

it did not fit right either...I had to massage a whole bunch of stuff to make it work...for one thing the upper bracket on the fan shroud didn't line up...so I drilled two new holes and put in self tappers, having done with it....

I also drilled water drain holes in the bottom of the thing so water can get out of the hollow structure, there are plenty of holes up top for water to eventually work it's way in...both original and replacement...so I picked several places for water to drain out the bottom, and drilled 3/8 holes...
can't be seen .....come think of it, when replacing the first cross piece---the boomerang shaped one...the rad support sit on....I drilled drain holes in it too,...so as letting water escape to the lo spot....

GENE

no_radio

It's been a couple years, but I remember for sure that it was missing the weldnuts where the retainer bracket bolts on. I used nuts on the backside, but it was a real pain to reach with a wrench. I called and gave them an earful, but they were unsympathetic. Other than that I don't recall any problems.
Jeff

Ken73

I welded a whole new lower 6" worth for Aaron's car.. his entire bottom 6" of his support were totally rusted out - gone! I used good thick bar steel and welded him one that won't be going anywhere anytime soon!

shoptek

A quick update....

The support is in, but not secured down yet. I put it in as an assembly of the shroud,rad,support.
The mounting holes on the side are a bit off, but I don't know if it is because i don't have it fully bolted down to the crossmember.

I try to do 100% of my own work, and I aint rich but I WILL NEVER do this again!!! I'll pay my vette mechanic the 3 or 4 hours he originally wanted to do the job :rant:

Larry B.

Just removing the radiator is a major job on the early A/C equipped C3's. BB's are even worse because they are longer so you have even less clearance.