'69 427 with A/C radiator and shroud install

[Jack O.]

Hi everyone,
I've read enough posts to know this is a real PIA but here's my situation and questions.

I don't have the benefit of having removed the parts because the car had electric fans and no shroud. It's an A/C car.

I've replaced the core support and am trying to install the Dewitts direct fit radiator and original shroud (without extension attached). According to service manual I should be able to slide radiator in between support and shroud by titling support forward but this just isn't working for me. For one the core support barely moves forward and it seems impossible to get the radiator lower hose connector around the outside of the shroud when the shroud is laying in place. And when I try to maneuver the radiator and shroud as a unit I get thr ight side in but the left side needs about an inch to get pass the left A-arm.

So, do I need to remove the hood? Perhaps then I can move the core support forward enough so the shroud clears the left A-arm. This seems less drastic than removing an A-arm. Almost looks like the shroud could go in from the bottom if I removed the sway bar but that's sounds to good to be true.

Thanks,

Jack

[Mark E.]

Re: '69 427 with A/C radiator and shroud install

Jack,

I wrote a post within the past two years detailing this procedure so you may want to search for that (it wasn't my thread). Highlights:

- Remove hood
- Remove bottom core support to cross member bolts; note number of shims
- Loosen bottom side bolts for core support; remove remaining side bolts
- Hang shroud around water pump (assuming fan and clutch already removed)
- Tilt core support forward on bottom side bolts to provide clearance to drop in radiator. With AC, you may need to loosen the condenser and lines so it can tilt with the core support or even remove it altogether. Be careful not to push condenser into headlight actuators.
- Drop in radiator. This may require some creative wiggling to clear A-arms.
- Reposition core support, install radiator brackets, attach shroud by sliding forward from water pump.
- Install clutch/fan assembly and remaining stuff. Be sure to check for adequate fan clearance around the shroud. I finger width is about right. Adjust by pushing the shroud forward/back using the slotted top bracket. If this doesn't provide enough adjustment, add/remove shims under core support.

I learned that if the replacement radiator is even a fraction of an inch too wide, it won't fit. Things are that tight.

[Jack O.]

Re: '69 427 with A/C radiator and shroud install

Thanks Mark, that's very helpful. And to think, this all started as fixing a coolant leak at the intake bypass hose. I'll report back how it goes.

[Mark E.]

Re: '69 427 with A/C radiator and shroud install

Good luck. One more thing: Don't move or lift the car while the core support is loose or out.

[James G.]

Re: '69 427 with A/C radiator and shroud install

On a 71 Big block with AC we also removed the front upper washers and bolts on the A-arm shaft to gain enough clearance.
We also taped coroplast(plastic corrugated) to the core front and rear.

[Jack O.]

Re: '69 427 with A/C radiator and shroud install

If removing the hood doesn't do it will perhaps try that as well. Yeah, I have everything wrapped in foam and cardboard otherwise there'd be no paint left and all that work would be wasted.

I even tried closing the hood to about 20" remaining at the rear which more room to move the core support but still not enough. I think this would have sufficed if I didn't have the condenser. Hoods coming off tonight when a I get another set of hands to help.

[Jack O.]

Re: '69 427 with A/C radiator and shroud install

Pulled the hood and managed to get it it in with a little help from a pry bar on the shroud to get it past the left A-arm. Thanks everyone for the help!

So much easier to do the remaining work with the hood off anyway.