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Best way to mount an aftermarket aluminum radiator? #1492179 08/29/13 12:25 AM 08/29/13 12:25 AM
Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 115 Tampa, Florida Road Ronin OP member
Road Ronin OP member Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 115 Tampa, Florida	I've heard diametrically opposed opinions about how to do this without vibration causing breakage to the aluminum: 1) weld custom pieces to the radiator so that it bolts in just like the original. 2) fabricate clamping brackets to hold it in place, using rubber spacers to dampen vibration. Thanks in advance for setting me straight on this. Leslie will lose; your automobile will lose; I WILL WIN! I shall build the greatest automobile in the world and I will win! Fate the Magnificent! MUAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Re: Best way to mount an aftermarket aluminum radiator? [Re: Road Ronin] #1492180 08/29/13 12:32 AM 08/29/13 12:32 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 104,346 Garden Grove, CA OzHemi Penguin-hating Ginger
OzHemi Penguin-hating Ginger Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 104,346 Garden Grove, CA	I've direct/solid mounted a few aluminum radiators in different cars and never had a problem for what it's worth..

Re: Best way to mount an aftermarket aluminum radiator? [Re: Road Ronin] #1492181 08/29/13 12:40 AM 08/29/13 12:40 AM
Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 3,378 Rancho Cordova, CA Exit1965 master
Exit1965 master Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 3,378 Rancho Cordova, CA	I made a cradle for mine (of steel), that the mounting flange lies in. The cradle has 2 studs on the bottom that sit in holes in the body. For the top, drilled some holes through the flange and it's secured with bolts to the radiator support. It's been like that for 5+ years, no problems.

Re: Best way to mount an aftermarket aluminum radiator? [Re: Exit1965] #1492182 08/29/13 06:52 PM 08/29/13 06:52 PM
Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 115 Tampa, Florida Road Ronin OP member
Road Ronin OP member Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 115 Tampa, Florida	Thanks guys. Do either of you have pictures you can share? Leslie will lose; your automobile will lose; I WILL WIN! I shall build the greatest automobile in the world and I will win! Fate the Magnificent! MUAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Re: Best way to mount an aftermarket aluminum radiator? [Re: OzHemi] #1492183 08/29/13 07:58 PM 08/29/13 07:58 PM
Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 6,516 Santa Cruz, California L Lefty master
Lefty master L Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 6,516 Santa Cruz, California	Quote: I've direct/solid mounted a few aluminum radiators in different cars and never had a problem YET for what it's worth.. I just use rubber between the rad and mount with a bolt and nylock nut. It can be fuel line cut into short lengths, rubber grommets or pretty much any piece that will fit. I have done a few "hard mounts" like OZ and never had any cracking issues YET though.

Re: Best way to mount an aftermarket aluminum radiator? [Re: Road Ronin] #1492184 08/29/13 08:11 PM 08/29/13 08:11 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 104,346 Garden Grove, CA OzHemi Penguin-hating Ginger
OzHemi Penguin-hating Ginger Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 104,346 Garden Grove, CA	Here is the tabs welded onto the radiator.. 7832516-009(28).JPG (357 downloads)

Re: Best way to mount an aftermarket aluminum radiator? [Re: OzHemi] #1492185 08/29/13 08:13 PM 08/29/13 08:13 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 104,346 Garden Grove, CA OzHemi Penguin-hating Ginger
OzHemi Penguin-hating Ginger Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 104,346 Garden Grove, CA	Bolted it up... (looking for a pic from the engine side, but you get the idea at least.. ) 7832518-023(13).JPG (240 downloads)

Re: Best way to mount an aftermarket aluminum radiator? [Re: OzHemi] #1492186 08/29/13 08:15 PM 08/29/13 08:15 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 104,346 Garden Grove, CA OzHemi Penguin-hating Ginger
OzHemi Penguin-hating Ginger Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 104,346 Garden Grove, CA	7832523-radiatorfront.jpg (188 downloads)

Re: Best way to mount an aftermarket aluminum radiator? [Re: OzHemi] #1492187 08/29/13 08:16 PM 08/29/13 08:16 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 104,346 Garden Grove, CA OzHemi Penguin-hating Ginger
OzHemi Penguin-hating Ginger Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 104,346 Garden Grove, CA	7832526-057(4).JPG (134 downloads)

Re: Best way to mount an aftermarket aluminum radiator? [Re: OzHemi] #1492188 08/29/13 08:21 PM 08/29/13 08:21 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 104,346 Garden Grove, CA OzHemi Penguin-hating Ginger
OzHemi Penguin-hating Ginger Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 104,346 Garden Grove, CA	And just for the heck of it. 7832531-engine.jpg (148 downloads)

Re: Best way to mount an aftermarket aluminum radiator? [Re: Road Ronin] #1492189 08/29/13 09:16 PM 08/29/13 09:16 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 6,497 N.E. Ohio K KillerBee master
KillerBee master K Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 6,497 N.E. Ohio	I bought a 22" Champion radiator that was advertised to fit my Challenger with mounting brackets with holes already welded on. I had to drill 1 hole that didn't line up to the factory bolts holes in the radiator support then bolted it in. Everything fit perfect and the hose inlets were in the correct locations to use factory molded hoses. Has kept my 440 Six Pack Challenger running at 160 degrees all summer. 7832623-radiator.JPG (239 downloads)

Re: Best way to mount an aftermarket aluminum radiator? [Re: KillerBee] #1492190 09/01/13 01:02 AM 09/01/13 01:02 AM
Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 115 Tampa, Florida Road Ronin OP member
Road Ronin OP member Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 115 Tampa, Florida	Thanks OzHemi and KillerBee! Those pix are helpful. And your engine bay looks gorgeous, Oz. Leslie will lose; your automobile will lose; I WILL WIN! I shall build the greatest automobile in the world and I will win! Fate the Magnificent! MUAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Re: Best way to mount an aftermarket aluminum radiator? [Re: Road Ronin] #1492191 09/01/13 01:09 AM 09/01/13 01:09 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 104,346 Garden Grove, CA OzHemi Penguin-hating Ginger
OzHemi Penguin-hating Ginger Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 104,346 Garden Grove, CA	Thank you! It took some work, but I am happy with how it came out.

Re: Best way to mount an aftermarket aluminum radiator? [Re: Road Ronin] #1492192 09/01/13 01:14 AM 09/01/13 01:14 AM
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 18,678 Fresno, CA Jim_Lusk I Live Here
Jim_Lusk I Live Here Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 18,678 Fresno, CA	I modified some Ford radiator brackets. Works great. 7834904-MVC-019S.JPG (215 downloads)

Re: Best way to mount an aftermarket aluminum radiator? [Re: Road Ronin] #1492193 09/01/13 11:17 AM 09/01/13 11:17 AM
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 22,696 Bitopia J jcc If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
jcc If you can't dazzle em with diamonds.. J Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 22,696 Bitopia	Quote: I've heard diametrically opposed opinions about how to do this without vibration causing breakage to the aluminum: 1) weld custom pieces to the radiator so that it bolts in just like the original. 2) fabricate clamping brackets to hold it in place, using rubber spacers to dampen vibration. Thanks in advance for setting me straight on this. If the original rad was alum, that would give some guidance as to how to mount tabs. I don't think the main purpose of rubber mounting is to to isolate vibration, more to prevent radiator from becoming a structural member of the chassis. Alum is a lot less tolerant of repetitive flexing, and if hard welded tabs are resilient enough, no major problems should arise. One example IMO that is a problem is "overwelding" the tabs, welding itself causes possible future cracking issues, and the tab having some give instead of all streeses being directed to radiator has got to be a plus. That said, I weld tabs on mine, Angles welded on 3 of 4 sides only. Last edited by jcc; 09/01/13 11:25 AM. Reality check, that half the population is smarter then 50% of the people and it's a constantly contested fact.

Re: Best way to mount an aftermarket aluminum radiator? [Re: jcc] #1492194 09/01/13 12:42 PM 09/01/13 12:42 PM
Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 4,950 WI Dcuda69 master
Dcuda69 master Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 4,950 WI	I did mine with a bracket on top like this. The bottom has 2 similar brackets on each side under the tanks, The brackets are lined with foam insulation. It's been like this for many years...works good 7835158-Picture487.jpg (195 downloads)

Re: Best way to mount an aftermarket aluminum radiator? [Re: Dcuda69] #1492195 09/01/13 12:57 PM 09/01/13 12:57 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 11,912 APACHE JUNCTION AZ J Joesixpack I Live Here
Joesixpack I Live Here J Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 11,912 APACHE JUNCTION AZ	Looks good....am going the same route, 22 inch 3 core alum radiator to replace current low budget 19 in a 22 core support, adding electric fan&external trans cooler. 7835176-IMG_20130830_112024.jpg (280 downloads)

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