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parsonsj
09-04-2004, 06:44 AM
I'm finishing my radiator core support today, including the radiator mounts. On previous cars I worked on the the radiator was mounted in rubber. Is that necessary? Or can I weld some flanges to the radiator and bolt it directly to the core support? I'm using a Ron Davis aluminum radiator.

Comments? Thoughts? Experiences?

thanks!
jp

camcojb
09-04-2004, 09:03 AM
Is your radiator core support supported by rubber bushings or solid? I think it's obviously better to bush either the support or the radiator, but I have solidly mounted them also with no failures. I'm sure long term would be an issue though, although most of our cars are never driven for 150K miles.

Jody

parsonsj
09-04-2004, 09:32 AM
Hey Jody,
My core support (made from 4130 square tube) is bolted solid to the frame, fenders, and roll cage.
jp

porschev8
09-04-2004, 02:04 PM
JP,
If you want the radiator to last as long as possible then you should saddle mount it. Maybe you could fabricate something like this?

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2004/09/radiatorsaddlemounts-1.jpg

-Tim

parsonsj
09-04-2004, 02:47 PM
Hi Tim,
I was hoping you'd drop in.

I have just finished making lower saddle mounts, though right now it's aluminum on steel. Should I "insulate" the aluminum with rubber or some other material?

jp

parsonsj
09-04-2004, 04:20 PM
Another question: how much vertical room does the radiator cap need? Space is tight ...

Or ... (Tim) what cap do you recommend? I'll just pick one up and work from there.

jp

porschev8
09-04-2004, 06:04 PM
STANT 16-18 Lbs. Sorry.... I don't know the dimensions off hand.

We will have some of our new Billet caps finished up in a week or so. Can you hold out until then?

porschev8
09-04-2004, 06:11 PM
A set of GM rubber saddle mounts can be trimmed out to fit the radiator. (GM Part # 15986402) I think they only cost $2.59 each.

zbugger
09-04-2004, 06:23 PM
Do you think velcro would work?

parsonsj
09-04-2004, 07:18 PM
Tim,
I'm thinking billet will be thicker than the steel Stant version, though I'd love to try one. I'm gonna go pick up a Stant cap so I can keep going. Let me know when you have one ready (or maybe tell me the size difference).

Thanks for the GM pn. That's just what I was looking for. I'll get a set this week.

thanks!

jp

Velcro? Maybe I should have used it for my hood!

parsonsj
09-05-2004, 06:24 AM
Got my Stant cap. It takes less room than I thought it would.

Tim, maybe the billet cap will fit ... let me know when you have an extra one lying around.

jp

porschev8
09-06-2004, 10:55 AM
Here's a couple pictures of the billet cap for my car. This should give you a good idea of the actual size.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

parsonsj
09-06-2004, 06:28 PM
Tim,

I think one a 'dem just might fit. Drop me a line when they are available.

jp

porschev8
09-08-2004, 11:53 AM
JP,
I hope I didn't catch you too late!
I gave you the wrong part number. The correct GM part number is #15982547
They fit a 95 Chevy 1/2 ton pickup and you'll need to trim them to fit the thicker radiator.

Sorry about that!

Tim

parsonsj
09-08-2004, 03:01 PM
Nope, not too late.

thanks.

jp

BRIAN
09-11-2004, 01:51 PM
I have used poly end link bushings cut in 1/2 between radiator and support then use nylon busings in front. Off of the radiator simply use flat stock mounted on each side as they did in old Chevy's. Nice and simple.
By the way those poly bushings are about $7 from Pep Boys and I use them for everything from exhaust to the above as they take heat well and are usually 3/8's which works great for bolt sizing simplicity.

OHCbird
09-13-2004, 07:39 PM
Thanks for the # Tim; I'm planning on a drop-in saddle mount.

TonyHuntimer
09-13-2004, 08:21 PM
Hey John,

Don't forget crossflow aluminum radiators can expand upto 3/8" in overall width from 65 to 200 degrees. That is why radiators are not typically solidly mounted. That is why they are mounted with rubber (or urethane) isolators.

:)
Tony Huntimer
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