[F1147D]

Hey I need some help figuring out a problem I’m having with my radiator and core support. I have a 70 GTO and when I bought the car the factory core support was long gone so I bought a stock replacement (can’t remember the company but it might have been Ames) fast forward to today and I am getting my car restored and I bought a stock radiator from OPGI. Now both of these parts are suppose to be the factory dimensions but now I’m having the issue of the radiator is too wide for the core support opening. Am I missing something or is this an issue that others have had putting their GTOs back together.

Thanks

[F1147D]

If anyone that has a 70 GTO and still has their original core support in the car and would be willing to measure the opening for the radiator or still has their original 3 core radiator and can send me those measurements so I can see how they match what I’ve got I’d greatly appreciate it.

[steve v]

The '69 - '72 style radiator is held in place by the plastic fan shroud. First see if the radiator fits that.
If it doesn't fit you have the wrong width radiator.

[F1147D]

Good idea I’ll try that

[70badboy]

I have the radiator out of my 70. I can measure it in the morning if you still need it. Steve

['ol Pinion head]

Wouldn't surprise me if the incorrect placement of the lower stamped rail on the repro core support effects the position of where the lower radiator mounts bolt on. This would in turn cause a tightness issue, up & down. Dataway has several good threads about the problem with the incorrect placement of the lower rail & the corrections needed onnthe repro core support.

[70badboy]

Do you have Dataway contact info? Thanks Steve

[F1147D]

Steve,
Yes if you can send me the measurements I’d appreciate it.

No I don’t have his contact info

['ol Pinion head]

Following are the two threads Dataway put detailed info on. His original plan was to modify the top of the reproduction "68-70" core support to work in his 68, '68's don't have the stepped edge where the top of the plastic fan shrouds attach. Then the problem of the lower rail being improperly positioned raised its head.


https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...d.php?t=835653

https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...d.php?t=835789

My own experience is with rebuilding original '70, 71, & 72 Pontiac A-body core supports, carefully drilling out spotwelds, replacing lower rails, substituting top plates on nice condition original uprights.

[70badboy]

Thanks "ol Pinion head for the thread. Great information. I have a 70 GTO. Does the 70 core support have the same 9 degree angle as the 68? Steve

[F1147D]

I think it does. The real issue I’m running into is the “stock” radiator seem to be to wide for my “stock” core support and the saddle brackets aren’t fitting the mounting holes on the core support and seem to be to wide for the radiator

[70badboy]

the measurement is 33 5/8 inches at the bottom and 33 5/8 inches half way up. The radiator has been in the car since 1972. Here is a picture

[F1147D]

Thank you very much! That’s what the one I bought measures. The core support opening is measuring 33.5 and 18.5