C1 (1957) Radiator install

[Rod K.]

At what point in the factory assembly was the radiator installed and how?

I believe the radiator support was in place when the body was painted and blacked out (see Noland Adams book, pg 143, shows support installed in partially assembled body), but assume the radiator was not as it received no blackout. With the hood installed (as it would have been for paint) it appears it will not open far enough to allow the radiator to be slid into the support.

I've tried to install the radiator with the hood support installed and it doesn't come close, and it looks like the hood won't open enough further with the support disconnected before the hinges hit the body, but I haven't tried that yet.

Will I have to remove the hood to install the radiator?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Bruce B.]

Re: C1 (1957) Radiator install

I installed the radiator in my 57 yesterday and with the hood off it slides right in.

[Rod K.]

Re: C1 (1957) Radiator install

Thanks, Bruce. I've done it that way numerous times. Never had the hood hinges installed back when I did it though, used pins all around so I've never done it with the hood on. Really don't want to pull the hood if I don't have to as I spent a lot of time getting it adjusted to fit and operate properly. Unless I'm missing something, it seems they would have had to assemble the radiator with the hood in place on the asembly line and trying to determine if/how that was done.

[Tom P.]

Re: C1 (1957) Radiator install

I don't know how/when the radiator was installed at St. Louis, but to remove/install the hood on a 53-57 Vette at home, the hood must be removed. No other way.

[Troy P.]

Re: C1 (1957) Radiator install

For 53 photo shows (Noland's Vol. 1 page 19) it is clear the radiator support was in but the hood was not on during body paint. They appear to be fitting the hood on page 21 after body drop.

Speaking to 56-57, on page 144 Noland's narrative says everything was done the same way as 53-55. He says the hood was installed and aligned before painting. I don't think this is correct based on the photos I've referenced above, the upper right photo on page 145, and that the radiator can't be installed with the hood on.

I believe that at some point in the body painting process the hood may have been set in place but not attached. Thus it could be easily taken off for radiator install, hood and engine compartment blackout, etc. Or it may have been painted separately and then laid in place in time for paint buffing.

Here are some other facts to contemplate - The radiator cannot be installed with the front hood alignment blocks in place. I have found no body paint under such blocks on 55's indicating they were installed before body paint. This could be true in 53-54 as well but I have no first hand experience to verify. Also the blocks were painted body color and later masked and blacked out on several unrestored 54s and 55s I've examined.

Note on page 144 Noland speaks of some 56's with paint on those hood alignment blocks. I think that was the way they would be typically be found from 53-56. Just a theory though. In any case the mystery is if the blocks were in place before body paint and the radiator was not then why do the painted blocks show no sign of being removed?

[Rod K.]

Re: C1 (1957) Radiator install

Thanks for the info, guys. I like the concept of setting the hood in place but not attached. That makes sense. Now I'm resigned to removing the hood.

[Tom P.]

Re: C1 (1957) Radiator install

You REALLY, REALLY need to use 3 people (can be done with 2). Two people to hold the hood steady while the 3rd person removes the bolts. Same for installation.

[Rod K.]

Re: C1 (1957) Radiator install

Understood, Tom. Been there, etc. More fun than herding cats.