Posted By: BeeSuper
core support - 02/26/14 11:22 PM
How difficult is it to change the radiator core support? Upper and lower sections. Lower section was replaced with a rusty junkyard piece and the upper is bent. Lower appears to be tack welded in. Will this require supporting / bracing the frame rails before disassembly or should I not worry about the front assy. becomming out of square or moving around? Car is still together now but no engine. '69 Bee.
Posted By: Stanton
Re: core support - 02/27/14 12:56 AM
If you have the car on jackstands at the trans crossmember then you should be ok. I'm at that stage right now - inner fenders are out and the support coming out tonight. Nothing has moved on mine but you'd be wise to take measurements if you're taking the inner fenders out. If you're not taking those out then there really isn't anything that should move as those provide all the support.
Posted By: fastmark
Re: core support - 02/27/14 05:08 AM
Be careful when changing out that upper core support. If you still have your vin numbers stamped on the top, it would be a mistake to change it. Id get it straightened out by a good body man.
Posted By: BeeSuper
Re: core support - 02/27/14 02:15 PM
A good body man I am not, never done it, no skills, don't wanna learn the hard way on this car. Yes the numbers are there but they are also on the trunk rim above the driver quarter and the entire drive train is non #'s matching any way. It could probably be bent back in shape though.
Posted By: BeeSuper
Re: core support - 02/27/14 02:23 PM
Am I correct in thinking that the lower portion is spot welded to the frame ends? Mine appears this way but the repair is obviously not factory. It's pretty cheesey work at best and heavily pitted with prior rust damage and nothing else on the car is. Thanks for the info. Oh by the way, the K-member is out, the car is on a lift but all sheet metal is still in place.
Posted By: Stanton
Re: core support - 02/27/14 03:52 PM
Yes, it is spot-welded on the ends. You'll likely be doing that with a mig though.
Posted By: mopar346
Re: core support - 02/27/14 04:22 PM
If replacing the entire core support I would weld a brace from frame rail to frame rail on the bottom to keep them from moving and either weld or bolt something across the top to hold it. Just cheap insurance that way you know it doesn't move and of course measure 12 ways to Sunday to make sure it held. I would also do what I could to save the original core support especially the section with the numbers.
The K-member makes a perfect brace. Neither rail can drift in, out, up or down.
Posted By: Q5_Ed
Re: core support - 02/28/14 04:23 AM
Fix it, splice around numbers section if necessary, but I would spend money to keep original
Posted By: BeeSuper
Re: core support - 03/04/14 03:27 PM
Good idea, thanks for the help to everyone.
