My radiator and A/C condenser install saga - ChevyTalk --The Social ...

Bcap55  "6th Year" Silver Supporting Member Posts: 93 Age: 48 Loc: Coplay, PA Reg: 01-18-07	01-16-12 10:03 AM - Post#2179908     Ok folks time to install a radiator and condenser, this should be ez they make kits for this right . I have a BBC motor with the Williams 3/4" forward mounts, so I will have to mount the radiator in the 6 cylinder position. I'm using a Griffin 2 row 1 1/4" tube radiator and a Vintage Air condenser kit. My car came with a V8 radiator core support, so I ordered a radiator relocation kit. When I tried to install the rad it was obvious that it wasn't going to fit. I ordered the rad for the 6 cylinder position, I didn't know that the relocation kit is to move a V8 rad in front of the support. I assumed you needed a 6 cylinder rad to go with the relocation kit, my bad. I decided that it was easier to return the relocation kit rather than the radiator, so I modified the core support to work. I added a flange to the front of the support to mount the rad and eventually cut off the rear flange. Ok radiator problem solved here goes the A/C condenser, no problem. Well slight problem, apparently this kit is made to work with a stock width radiator not a thicker one like the Griffin. The mounting brackets in the kit do not extend forward enough to clear the radiator. I broke out my do it myself kit and made new brackets. I like these better than the VA ones. As many of you already know using a larger radiator with a condenser causes interference problems with the hood latch and support. I made a hammerform and cut out a blank to form a shorter latch support. I took a piece of stainless steel and milled out a new shorter latch plate. Here you can see the difference between the stock pieces and the new ones. Lot's of room now. Onto the next problem. Since I moved the condenser farther foward than the kit was designed for, the liquid line doesn't stick through the core support filler panel far enough to mount the filter drier. Also the hot gas line is too long thanks to my strategic location of the compressor. So I made couplings to lengthen the liquid line and to shorten the hot gas line. I brazed the couplings on the tubes. I also made a clamp to mount the drier to the filler panel. The filter was hitting the inner fenner panel, so I made a recess in it to clear the filter. Here are some pictures of the radiator shroud I ordered from Classic Chevy. This piece fits nice, I like these better than the plastic shrouds. You can see how I ran the overflow hose to keep it out of sight. I also made a new baffle to seal off any air flow below the radiator. I made these hose separators and routed all the hoses to finish the job. Typical easy install. Bcap55 My Picture Trail Site
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Big T  "6th Year" Silver Supporting Member Posts: 1995 Loc: Simi Valley CA Reg: 04-14-06	01-16-12 10:32 AM - Post#2179924         In response to Bcap55 Hey Bcap. Looking at your profile, I guess it is in your blood. Never hurts to hear it one more time......"you do great metal work"
Big T  "6th Year" Silver Supporting Member Posts: 1995 Loc: Simi Valley CA Reg: 04-14-06	01-16-12 10:36 AM - Post#2179926         In response to Bcap55 Hey Bcap. Looking at your profile, I guess it is in your blood. Never hurts to hear it one more time......"you do great metal work"
cnbell  "8th Year" Silver Supporting Member Posts: 8200 Loc: So Cal Reg: 04-14-04	01-16-12 11:19 AM - Post#2179940         In response to Bcap55 Very nice work, nice detail. Your condenser mounts look way better, and I really like the hood latch plate... Craig http://www.picturetrail.com/cnbell
inline0_0  "8th Year" Silver Supporting Member Posts: 1280 Age: 69 Loc: Arizona desert Reg: 03-10-04	01-16-12 11:46 AM - Post#2179950         In response to cnbell Great work - you don't need no stinkin' kit. Not with your skills. Doug http://picturetrail.com/nomoneyhoney
5Larry7  "9th Year" Silver Supporting Member Posts: 1557 Loc: Dallas, TX Reg: 05-17-04	01-16-12 01:53 PM - Post#2179985         In response to Bcap55 Very nice work. '57 210, Blown 327 cid, 700R4, PS, A/C, & more! '51 Studebaker Starlite coupe, 350, TH400, GV OD. '08 Corvette Jetstream Blue coupe. '96 Replica of a 1950's Teardrop Trailer.
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