Jump to content

Radiator brackets/mounts help needed

crnext

Recommended Posts

crnext Enthusiast

crnext

Posted
Posted

Hey all. latest recruit here. 

 

Have been in/around all kinda of garages and shops my whole 40+ years.

Recently I made a bonehead mistake. While swapping a 1991 engine into my 1986, I mixed up the fan shrouds and tossed the wrong ones.

This is irreversible. It got burned up in my trash barrel by mistake. I now have a 1991 shroud that does not fit my 1986.
Every diagram I see shows me this metal panel that bolts to my core support. This is incorrect. My radiator is not tall enough for that.
My fan shroud had the radiator cushion integrated into it, I am almost certain. How is it that none of the online retailers have this??

Is my truck a weird one? It unbolted like factory equipment, though it was kinda cracked and broken. The bolts were still in place. The radiator is a 4 row radiator with a 29" core.
It is not tall enough for a metal top bracket/panel/whatever its called to hold it. Its about 2-3 inches too short.

Im ready to beat my face into the cement. Any ideas guys and gals?

crnext Enthusiast

crnext

Posted
  • Author
Posted
1 hour ago, txab said:

Have you checked lmctruck?

I have. They have that same stamped steel plate.

 

Mine was a plastic cover that had the saddles and fan shroud made in.

 

I guess I have to fabricate something. I'm a decent welder but I don't have any fabricating skills nor materials. This truck is turning out to be a bigger and bigger mistake.

txab Senior Enthusiast

txab

Posted
Posted

Got any junkyards around?  Is the '86 original radiator and shroud?

 

On my '80, when I replaced the rad. all the replacements were a bit shorter since it had more rows for cooling. Mine had the metal plate on top. I configured a spacer that fit around the top of the rad holding it in place. In turn, that spacer was firmly gripped by that top plate

crnext Enthusiast

crnext

Posted
  • Author
Posted
9 hours ago, txab said:

Got any junkyards around?  Is the '86 original radiator and shroud?

Every truck in my local JY is missing the radiator and thus, the retainers.

 

I believe this is an OE 4 row radiator because it has brass tanks. All you get now is plastic tanks. I am pretty sure I'll have to fabricate a mount somehow.

 

I dread this.

crnext Enthusiast

crnext

Posted
  • Author
Posted
7 hours ago, txab said:

Post a pic of your issue. I may be able give you an idea.

 

 

I will. Just don't hold breath while waiting. I have several things to accomplish this weekend. I'll do my best to post it by sunday.

I do appreciate any help.

crnext Enthusiast

crnext

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I finally got off my butt and got the photos taken. Please overlook my first attempt at fabrication. It looks like pure hell. As previously mentioned, I don't have any materials in shop and my fabricating skill is not the best either.

1229181623.jpg

txab Senior Enthusiast

txab

Posted
Posted

That'll work. Will the shroud go back on?

 

I fabricated several spacers from super dense styrofoam chunks I had left over from a shipment. Stuff will take a good bit of pressure without crushing. Placed between the new radiator that was shorter yet thicker, and the top plate that ran across the top. Did a bit of shaping so they would fit almost like a glove

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • Jsdirt
      2027 GMC Sierra: Official Discussion

      By Jsdirt · Posted

      Because that is IDIOTIC, much like this question. They've already been forced to do it by past administrations - why would you roll that back when it's a GOOD thing?  WHO IS ARGUING FOR LOWER MILEAGE???? 😂  NOBODY IS!!   I'm certainly not! What I want is RELIABLE vehicles again that are worth the price paid!    I don't get your logic here ...   In 2003 I paid $2,200 for our '86 Grand Marquis. It's STILL running and I've never been inside the engine, aside for the timing cover since it was leaking, so I threw a new timing set in since that makes sense. Transmission is ORIGINAL. Electric pump in the gas tank is ORIGINAL. Rear end is ORIGINAL. I'd have to hit my head REAL hard to want to pay $60k or more for a car that still can't come close to the comfort, seating and storage space, or reliability of this one. Nothing is even in the ball park! Hundreds of thousands of brands and models have been built and sent to the crusher while this one keeps on going!   https://postimg.cc/Z9XRrCSg   I've got a whole fleet of cars, motorcycles, and a truck close to this age for summer and winter. No one could pay me enough to buy anything built this century. I have zero use for any it.
    • Jsdirt
      2027 GMC Sierra: Official Discussion

      By Jsdirt · Posted

      Since I'm the one who has to fix them when they break, I'll take vehicles over 30 years old all day, EVERY day, over ANY modern crap. Have you attempted any repairs on anything built after 2006? It's a friggin nightmare, and gets worse the newer the model year.    If I had the will or desire, I can make any car of any age outside of a Model T (I don't have THAT much will ...) just as powerful, comfortable, and have all the tech the new stuff does, and get pretty close in mileage, too. I prefer SIMPLICITY. The less the vehicle has, the less to fix WHEN it breaks, not IF.   I'm glad you snot-nosed punks don't like them. More for us, plus that keeps the prices from climbing more than they already have.👍
    • cautious optimist
      2027 GMC Sierra: Official Discussion

      By cautious optimist · Posted

      Bringing this thread back on topic. I just noticed the incredible lack of bright chrome across the entire new lineup. Even the Denali has tinted the brightwork in the grille and has none elsewhere. None of them have chrome bumpers. As far as I can tell there aren't even chrome mirror caps. I'm curious if this also happens out back? Are there no chrome rear bumpers either? This is quite the departure for GMC.
    • cautious optimist
      2027 GMC Sierra: Official Discussion

      By cautious optimist · Posted

      Bringing this thread back on topic. I just noticed the incredible lack of bright chrome across the entire new lineup. Even the Denali has tinted the brightwork in the grille and has none elsewhere. None of them have chrome bumpers. As far as I can tell there aren't even chrome mirror caps. I'm curious if this also happens out back? Are there no chrome rear bumpers either? This is quite the departure for GMC.
    • cautious optimist
      2027 GMC Sierra: Official Discussion

      By cautious optimist · Posted

      Bringing this thread back on topic. I just noticed the incredible lack of bright chrome across the entire new lineup. Even the Denali has tinted the brightwork in the grille and has none elsewhere. None of them have chrome bumpers. As far as I can tell there aren't even chrome mirror caps. I'm curious if this also happens out back? Are there no chrome rear bumpers either? This is quite the departure for GMC.

  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...