US CarTool radiator support

[soundcontrol]

Good info! Right, the bumper brackets, didn't even think that far... yes, as a not so experienced welder, one of the big problems is the warping, I usually cool off the area with a wet rag and move somewhere else, but its very timeconsuming, and its tempting to weld to much I notice... Whats best for this job, MIG or TIG? I got both, I like the TIG better, even though it's a bit more difficult than the MIG, but I feel more in control.

[soundcontrol]

Awesome info thanks 

Do you have links to the fender brace threads you referenced?

Here is a couple of threads I found on those, that shows the welds very good.


It might also be a good idea to weld some on the UCA support bracket, on my car it seems just to be spotwelded in a few points.
Gonna search for some info on that also, when I get to it.

http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=105937.msg1046364#msg1046364


http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=89391.msg907571#msg907571

[moprr]

Here is a pic as requested of what I did to reinforce the support.  I Didn't want to weld the new piece over the original piece and when I installed it without the original brace I wanted it stiffer.  Let me know if that pic gives you a good enough idea.

[jimynick]

"It might also be a good idea to weld some on the UCA support bracket, on my car it seems just to be spotwelded in a few points.
Gonna search for some info on that also, when I get to it." You don't need to do that. If you put the upper reinforcement kit in right, it has a large gusset or brace that welds from the top of the shock tower to the horizontal main reinforcement, that makes the whole assembly stiffer than what you're contemplating. If you don't see that in the threads you're talking about, PM me and I'll go out and take a couple of pics of mine since it's still on the rotisserie and easy to do. 

[soundcontrol]

Here is a pic as requested of what I did to reinforce the support.  I Didn't want to weld the new piece over the original piece and when I installed it without the original brace I wanted it stiffer.  Let me know if that pic gives you a good enough idea.

Thats great, got it. I gotta check so my new radiator fits though befoe I do anything, but that a very good idea. Thanks!

[soundcontrol]

"It might also be a good idea to weld some on the UCA support bracket, on my car it seems just to be spotwelded in a few points.
Gonna search for some info on that also, when I get to it." You don't need to do that. If you put the upper reinforcement kit in right, it has a large gusset or brace that welds from the top of the shock tower to the horizontal main reinforcement, that makes the whole assembly stiffer than what you're contemplating. If you don't see that in the threads you're talking about, PM me and I'll go out and take a couple of pics of mine since it's still on the rotisserie and easy to do. 

I got that the big piece with a hole in it reinforces the shocktower, but I was talking about the bracket in between the UCA joints, where the excentric adjustments bolts attach to. That bracket in the middle looks like it could use some extra welding.

[dave73chally]

Soundcontrol, did you bolt up your k frame before welding this support in? Is there any other way to ensure everything is straight without bolting it up?

[soundcontrol]

Soundcontrol, did you bolt up your k frame before welding this support in? Is there any other way to ensure everything is straight without bolting it up?

I have not done it yet, my car is in a rotisserie, waiting to be sandblasted. I am gonna bolt in the K-frame before I weld it though, just to be safe. I have it loose so its easy for me.

[soundcontrol]

I got my new radiator, and it sits pretty low, not a lof of room down there to reinforce the radiator support as moprr did. I might have to keep the old support under the US CarTool one anyways and try to straighten it out as good as I can. Its bumby and ugly, thats why I wanted to remove it.

[Ken D]

I removed the original and welded on the us car tool piece instead.

[crash340]

I got my new radiator, and it sits pretty low, not a lof of room down there to reinforce the radiator support as moprr did. I might have to keep the old support under the US CarTool one anyways and try to straighten it out as good as I can. Its bumby and ugly, thats why I wanted to remove it.

what make is that radiator please, it looks to be a 26" right?

[soundcontrol]

what make is that radiator please, it looks to be a 26" right?

Yes, its a 26" Griffin. Got it from Bouchillion.

[rhamson]

I used the older version of the tubular US Cartool core support under the factory core support. This was a few years ago. I quickly noticed that if I welded the tubing directly to the frame inside the factory support my radiator would never fit. I called US Cartool and explained the problem. They told me that there were two ways to attack this problem. One was to weld it as supplied directly to the frame and use a modine style radiator that was not as tall. The other was to use the two inch extensions they did not send that would make it extend below the factory support and allow the stock radiator to fit. The said they would send me the extensions but never did. I made my own from 2x2 tube stock with an extended tab that would go back up on the frame. I cut the tube diagonally so that I could weld the inside of the tube onto the frame where it was next to the existing radiator support and not accessible to weld. I then closed the tube up by welding it shut and on the inside of the frame. Sorry to take so long to explain as it is hard to explain it anyway. Here is a picture of how it came out.