70 radiator/support questions.

[Mike F.]

I have a 70 Coupe, L-46, M-21, copper radiator, plastic shroud, no overflow tank. I pulled the radiator/support and have a few questions.

1. Is the core support I have from a 75 or 76 based on the Paragon catalogue pics? (There are no inner support arms on the bottom of mine.)

2. If the 70-74 should have the two support arms on the bottom, does the radiator have a corresponding area that rests on these supports? (My radiator does not.)

3. Any suggestions on where to get a 70 core support?

TIA,
Mike

[Dick W.]

Re: 70 radiator/support questions.

What you have appears to be correct for your car. The brackets you are referring to are for a base engine car with an aluminum radiator.

[Joe L.]

Re: 70 radiator/support questions.

Mike------


I agree with Dick. Your copper brass radiator should be supported by the two "U"-shaped brackets on the support. The raised area where the tanks join the core should fit into the rubber cushions in the "U"-shaped bracket.

A lot of diagrams, including some of GM origin, show radiator supports with dual bracket sets (i.e. the "U"-shaped brackets for copper/brass radiators + the cup-type brackets for aluminum radiators). However, I have never seen a GM radiator support with dual brackets. I'm not saying there are none out there but, if there are any, I've not seen one.

[Kenneth B.]

Re: 70 radiator/support questions.

MY 70 SN 7601 & the two LT-1'S supports looks like yours.

[Paul O.]

Re: 70 radiator/support questions.

As all others have stated your support and radiator look like to be a correct brass radiator and support for 1970 big block. Plus you have the overflow clip not used on a 1970 and the MK tag on the passengers side vertical tank to core seam. Plus a correct looking radiator drain and plug.

[Terry M.]

Re: 70 radiator/support questions.

It is hard for me to see the radiator top cross bar. The third photo comes closest, and from that I would question the configuration. Ordinarily original cross bars (sometimes called spreader bars) have a specific dimension (detailed on this board in other posts) and two openings near the end tanks -- used for clamps when the radiator end tanks are assembled to the core. Those openings are next to each other on each end of the bar and one is rectangular and one is square. Only the top bar is visible during judging -- and sometimes the radiator shroud and its foam seal block those openings from view -- surprise, surprise!

Based on what I can see of the third photo my guess is the radiator has been re-cored and the original spreader bar was not re-used.

[Paul O.]

Re: 70 radiator/support questions.

Terry is correct I did not take a good look at the cross bar it does not look to be typical at each end area by the tanks there should be a small square and rectangular hole both top and bottom bars. Terry we/I do look at the bottom bar it can be view in most cases when viewing the front suspension.

[Dick W.]

Re: 70 radiator/support questions.

Based on what I can see of the third photo my guess is the radiator has been re-cored and the original spreader bar was not re-used.

If it has been recorred, it has already had repairs to the tubes on the bottom.

[Terry M.]

Re: 70 radiator/support questions.

Terry is correct I did not take a good look at the cross bar it does not look to be typical at each end area by the tanks there should be a small square and rectangular hole both top and bottom bars. Terry we/I do look at the bottom bar it can be view in most cases when viewing the front suspension.

You may look at the bottom. I don't any more. Of course if I am doing the engine compartment and you are doing th echassis, I would welcome your lower spreader bar opinions and act accordingly.

BT: Again it is hard to see, but I think the proportions of the raised portion of the bar v the lower portion are not TFP.

[Dick W.]

Re: 70 radiator/support questions.

I would have to look at the radiator to determine if it is the original core. Where the tanks are sweated together is almost too neat for a re-core. That is my opinion as I ran a radiator shop in years past.

[Terry M.]

Re: 70 radiator/support questions.

I would have to look at the radiator to determine if it is the original core. Where the tanks are sweated together is almost too neat for a re-core. That is my opinion as I ran a radiator shop in years past.

I don't see that old eagle eye, but the drain plug and angle fitting are to die for. Maybe it is your old "radiator shop" eyesight coming back to you.

[Dick W.]

Re: 70 radiator/support questions.

I don't see that old eagle eye, but the drain plug and angle fitting are to die for. Maybe it is your old "radiator shop" eyesight coming back to you.

Most radiator repair shops never took the time to make the seams neat. The reason I know it ha been repaired is that the fins have been raised to gain access to the tubes

[Terry M.]

Re: 70 radiator/support questions.

Terry is correct I did not take a good look at the cross bar it does not look to be typical at each end area by the tanks there should be a small square and rectangular hole both top and bottom bars. Terry we/I do look at the bottom bar it can be view in most cases when viewing the front suspension.

Although this is a photo of my LT1, I would expect the spreader bar to be the same on a Big Block:

Rad hoses 002.jpg

In this case one could easily assess the dimensions of the "top hat" portion of the spreader bar and lift the foam seal to see the location and size of the other hole -- it is right at the edge of the foam.

BTW: Years ago I measured all these dimensions for someone, and I believe I posted on here. I am sure it was back in the days of the black background, and may be very far back in the dark corners of the archives.

[Dick W.]

Re: 70 radiator/support questions.

Although this is a photo of my LT1, I would expect the spreader bar to be the same on a Big Block:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]43117[/ATTACH]

In this case one could easily assess the dimensions of the "top hat" portion of the spreader bar and lift the foam seal to see the location and size of the other hole -- it is right at the edge of the foam.

BTW: Years ago I measured all these dimensions for someone, and I believe I posted on here. I am sure it was back in the days of the black background, and may be very far back in the dark corners of the archives.

Very easy to duplicate with a Dremel tool, patience, and a little time

[Terry M.]

Re: 70 radiator/support questions.

Very easy to duplicate with a Dremel tool, patience, and a little time

The openings, yes -- the dimensions of the "hat", not so much.