"removable" radiator core support question
#2734403
01/19/20 11:17 AM
01/19/20 11:17 AM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,310 north of coder
moparx
OP
"Butt Crack Bob"
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OP
"Butt Crack Bob"
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,310
north of coder
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has anyone made the top bar of the radiator core support removable so as to be easier to replace engine/transmission assemblies ? if so, how did you reinforce it for the bolt in attachment points ? yes, i know about lowering/removing the K member, but this core support is being heavily modified for a crossflow radiator mounted in front of the support with a factory dual fan assembly mounted where the original [22"] radiator lived. i want to brace the top and bottom of the core support, as with the modifications, the top seems pretty flexible. [it felt that way before the modifications were started.] TIA as always !
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Re: "removable" radiator core support question
[Re: moparx]
#2734405
01/19/20 11:21 AM
01/19/20 11:21 AM
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Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 9,399 Super Spudsville
Mr PotatoHead
Half Baked
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Half Baked
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 9,399
Super Spudsville
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Id not cut my car like that, however I did buy on already hacked up and they did it ok, They took another top of the core support that was approx 2 inches longer on each side that overlapped perfectly and had a small triangle bolt hole pattern and when bolted tight I dont think im giving up any or much over oem status.
BUT DONT CUT YOUR CAR THAT WAY.
Last edited by Mr. Potatohead; 01/19/20 11:21 AM.
STOP POTATO HATE!
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Re: "removable" radiator core support question
[Re: moparx]
#2734440
01/19/20 12:29 PM
01/19/20 12:29 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,733 A collage of whims
topside
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,733
A collage of whims
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You could fab welded-on flanges (aka "doublers") to bolt the removable section to. Might be able to use the inner gussets at the fenders as a mounting point, depends on the car. Or for that matter, fab a new crossbar that could also have an upper rad mount bracket, and bolt that to those gussets.
I once pulled and re-installed a SB in a Duster without even pulling the hood, but it was a really tight fit. Had a Milodon pan on it, used a carb-flange plate & a tilting bracket, trans & headers in car, didn't scratch a thing. While the OEM upper tie bar is weak fore-aft, it's purpose is side/side reinforcement.
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Re: "removable" radiator core support question
[Re: moparx]
#2734532
01/19/20 04:10 PM
01/19/20 04:10 PM
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,695 Bitopia
jcc
If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
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If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,695
Bitopia
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I cut mine and will on all my future projects. On pic #57 below link you can make out most of the details. I'm running engine air intake thru 5 of the flared holes partially seen in the pic. At the time because of the added holes, I deepened the upper crossmember to gain some stiffness back, and lowered the radiator, which in my app is an additional plus. The only downside is, and I asked this question a decade? back here, isn't there an OEM "hidden" stamped vin/chassis number in this area (which my mod likely obliterated), and the LEO's use this sometime to verify a cars lineage. https://board.moparts.org/ubbthread...4/62-polara-500-cruiser.html#Post1554264
Reality check, that half the population is smarter then 50% of the people and it's a constantly contested fact.
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Re: "removable" radiator core support question
[Re: jcc]
#2734547
01/19/20 04:51 PM
01/19/20 04:51 PM
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Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 9,399 Super Spudsville
Mr PotatoHead
Half Baked
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Half Baked
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 9,399
Super Spudsville
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Yep your risking removing or hurting the core support vin.
Some seem ok with it, to others its a bad bad hack. Might be ok on cars that dont matter, modded cars or like I used to do id cut them on cars id get the motor/trans out of but not a good move on a car with any real value.
STOP POTATO HATE!
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Re: "removable" radiator core support question
[Re: Mr PotatoHead]
#2734550
01/19/20 04:55 PM
01/19/20 04:55 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 30,989 Oregon
AndyF
I Win
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I Win
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 30,989
Oregon
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Yep your risking removing or hurting the core support vin.
Some seem ok with it, to others its a bad bad hack. Might be ok on cars that dont matter, modded cars or like I used to do id cut them on cars id get the motor/trans out of but not a good move on a car with any real value. Yeah I wouldn't cut the core support on an original Hemi or V code type of car but my '65 Coronet is an original 426W four speed car and I cut the core support on it. Some people might say it was a mistake but I don't see those guys in my shop offering to help me pull the engine so their opinion doesn't carry much weight.
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Re: "removable" radiator core support question
[Re: AndyF]
#2734559
01/19/20 05:13 PM
01/19/20 05:13 PM
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,508 Tulsa, Oklahoma
340Cuda
master
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master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,508
Tulsa, Oklahoma
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I don't see those guys in my shop offering to help me pull the engine. I have no opinion of the core cutting but send me a plane ticket and I'll be there for you. :-)
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Re: "removable" radiator core support question
[Re: poorboy]
#2734697
01/19/20 11:49 PM
01/19/20 11:49 PM
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,819 South Bend
John Brown
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,819
South Bend
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On my brand X cars, I used to drill out the spot welds that held the top bar. Used bolts to hold it in place from then on.
July 19th should be "Drive Like Rockford Day". R.I.P. Jimmie.
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Re: "removable" radiator core support question
[Re: moparx]
#2734812
01/20/20 10:29 AM
01/20/20 10:29 AM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 30,424 Florida STAYcation
dOc !
The village idiot's idiot
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The village idiot's idiot
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 30,424
Florida STAYcation
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my original plan was to fab a round/square tube upper with the radiator mounts [already fabbed from 16ga stock and 5/8" thick truck mud flap material] incorporated being removable, and reinforce the bottom with a piece of 1 1/2" square tube [with the already mentioned mounts incorporated] from frame rail to frame rail, tapering into each rail, being fixed, allowing for radiator and AC condenser removal. Hi The CarrotVanMan has been working on them toooooo muchO ! This is eggZACKlee the way Caravans are set up ! Not a bad idea .. oleHam2!
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Re: "removable" radiator core support question
[Re: AndyF]
#2734813
01/20/20 10:31 AM
01/20/20 10:31 AM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,310 north of coder
moparx
OP
"Butt Crack Bob"
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OP
"Butt Crack Bob"
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,310
north of coder
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Andy, your pictures was exactly what i had in mind for cutting the core. the numbers on the support would not be affected, as they are far away from the cut lines, and this car is NOT valuable in any way with the exception it is an almost 19k original mileage 69 charger. as the car was hit HARD in the rear when i acquired it way back in 1970, then abused at the dragstrip weekly until 1983, it has lead a hard life. i will never restore it in my lifetime, so if the next caretaker decides to, well, that's his problem. i do like the dimple die design in whatever photo i saw. [maybe JCC's ?]
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Re: "removable" radiator core support question
[Re: moparx]
#2734856
01/20/20 12:16 PM
01/20/20 12:16 PM
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Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 9,399 Super Spudsville
Mr PotatoHead
Half Baked
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Half Baked
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 9,399
Super Spudsville
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Good thing we treat our kids better then our cars.
Vs cutting your charger up, how many times in the rest of your life do you plan to pull the motor?
STOP POTATO HATE!
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