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Well I just received my new rad support for my 69 427(390hp) from Zip and I would like to get your opinion as to if I have the correct one. The reason that I ask is because there are six holes missing in the horizontal portion behind the support to hood seals. There are however two in the mid point of this area similar to my original one. Also,the brackets that support the rad at the bottom are 3/16" closer together than on my old support. This I could live with by performing minor mods. The most noticeable and ugly thing though is that the drivers side has the indent for the wire harness and vacuum hoses like on later years(I belive that I saw this type on a 76). The ZIP part number I have is 2408C if that helps. Like I said,I could live with the support brackets...possibly the missing holes,but this indent on the drivers side seem way out of line. Am I too picky and is this acceptable for a quality repro? Thanks again for your thoughts.
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Re: 69 repro rad support quality
I'm not familiar with the source you used. Coffman Corvettes was the only place I found for quality replacement core support parts, but I was looking for '68 only. I recommend you check them out for what your needs are, and if you find them to be as acceptable as I did then return what you now have back to Zip. -
Not mine
I took my original craddle to Carlisle and bought a Coffman cause they said they were accurate and they were the only one making them. I got the hotel compared and promptly returned the sad thing.
This was for a 70 small block standard trans. I saw a guy with a beautiful used one on a wagon he bought for 40.00 and I saw used junk for 175.00-200.00
I bought one from Caledonia made by Keen and they are supposed to be made on the original molds. It is pretty close to my original, 95 percent now. I cut the jog out that I was told was for the Trans lines on an automatic and tigged in some metal to make it back to the orginal as they only make them with the jog.
I did bump into Coffman a day or two after and he said he was going to get a digital scan of an orginal and they would get better or be accurate. So maybe there have been improvements.
I also had sections of metal made up to replace the bottom section of my original, prior to that I was doing patches with a mig welder but it is frustrating welding new metal to old stuff that varies in thickness and quality. Since trying tig i could see putting those sections in now since it is a much finer weld.
WarrenComment
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Re: Not mine
I too was under the impression that Coffman made all of the repro rad supports so I didn't think that it would matter who I purchased it from. This morning I noticed that the sticker on the support says it's for 69-73 models but their cataloge(and many others that I have checked) list this support for 69-72 only and don't include the 73. I'm pretty sure that my support is the original one but could someone please confirm for me if I should or should not have this indent for the harness and if this is as good a repro support as you can get today. Once again,thanks.Comment
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Re:Replacement rad. supports
Greg I have tried to find correct radiator supports for 73's and found that all they make is a replacement. If you want something correct you need to go used or fix what you have. I have talked with vendors at shows and I would say what they make is ok for 95% of the people and the rest are too fussey is what they say. They try to lump years together into one part instead of five to show a profit and I understand why. I'm sure what you have would not be correct 100% for a 73. LyleLyle
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When you wish upon a Star, makes .....
You have 4 choices
Replacement 69-72 and add 6 or more holes.
Recently discontinued GM 339176 and add 2 upper center shroud bracket mount holes, and at least it's GM
Start searching for a REAL 1973 support in decent shape.
Get a C6.
Geoffrey Coenen
PS Whining not allowed on all but GM NOS unless the repro was assembled poorly. A .1875 variance in the distance between the lower saddle brackets across a 26 or 27 inch span does appear crude if in fact one of the supports is suspect and you have a GM part for reference as the benchmark. I do not know what the actual tolerance is on that GM blueprint, but the ribs on the radiator end tanks only fit one way in the channeled rubber insulators and they in turn sit in a U shaped steel trough. No way you could move anything 3/16 inch without a big hammer. You could get some play in the top saddle brackets, but not the welded on bottom ones. You would have to cobble up the lower dense rubber cushion, i.e. no more groove. If you have to settle for a replacement - the lower welded saddle brackets should not be off that much - unless it's ONE inch narrower - in that case it's a small block support, not a big block.
I wish all original GM parts were still ....
When you wish upon a Star, makes no difference who you are ....Comment
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Re: When you wish upon a Star, makes .....
Thanks again guys but some place along the way I must have left the impression that I have a 73 when in fact I have a 69. I realize that many repros should be called service replacements but the support that I have just looks plain wrong. I guess at this point my biggest question is...are the current 69-72 big block rad supports made with this indent on the drivers side for the harnesses or is there some out there without the indent? My 69 has the indent in the drivers inner fender with no indent on the old rad support. ...It looks real odd when you put this "repro" support in my car. Any other thoughts? Should I return it or is this just the way they are made?Comment
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Re: When you wish upon a Star, makes .....
Greg If you don't like it send it back. Is their a better one out their, I doubt it. You could use what you have as a base and weld and cut and drill on it till you make it into a correct 69 part like your old one. Last you could fix your old part for the short term with filler or bend up new metal and weld it up. How much time you want to spend and how skilled you are would be the only limits. I buy nice used ones and fix any part that needs work. LyleLyle
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Re: When you wish upon a Star, makes .....
Well thanks Lyle...I guess that is my answer. If you doubt that there is a better one out there then they must all have this indent for the harness. My old one is beyond economical repair...that is why I went "repro". It's just sad that I have to hack,bend and weld a new part to make it right. Honey out of dog poo... Thanks again.Comment
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Re: Before you start hacking away at it
If correctness is your thing Greg and by the sounds of this particular thread it is, I wouldn't even consider cobbing up the core support.
There are skads of vendors out there who will have nice solid used BB core supports that your after, it's just a matter of looking.
If time is against you, then it's your call. If it isn't, I'd step back take a breath and move forward for a corrct used part. Then I'd ship the repro back to Mr. ZIP for the refund PLUS freight.
ChuckComment
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Re: When you wish upon a Star, makes .....
Just talked with a buddy, who had good luck in getting what he needed in a BB core support from Keen parts in Cleves, Ohio. 513-353-3449Comment
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Re: When you wish upon a Star, makes .....
Thanks for the number for Keen parts. I phoned him this afternoon to see what his supports are like and his BB ones also have the harness insent. I guess I'll keep looking. If anyone knows of a good used one please let me know asap so that I can return this one from ZIP. Thanks.Comment
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