Radiator support replacement

[rftroy]

I've finally begun work on my Challenger.
It's a mom and pop 318 auto, drum brake car.
It will be a 500-512 Six Pack, 4-speed car with T/A hood and Hotchkis suspension.

I have a radiator support cut from a 73 E body to use to set up the Challenger for a 26" radiator. I was going to cut away the support side panels, and perhaps lower support piece, from the 73 assembly and weld them in to the car.

The only reason not to replace the entire assembly as a whole is to keep the VIN stamp on the upper support. But, it would be tremendously easier to just replace the entire radiator support without removing all those spot welds and re-welding.

Without starting a range war please, what might the downside be?
It's only a 318 car, but it's still a 70 Challenger,and they are getting rarer. It's going to be made into a Pro Touring car, but, save for the subframe connectors, everything else is bolt on.
I would keep the original radiator support with the VIN in case I decide to sell some day, to satisfy a buyer's concerns.

Thought?
Calm thoughts?

Robert

[anlauto]

In the case of a modified car, I would say it's not that big of a deal, but it's also not a "lot" of extra work to do it right so you can sleep at night

[Chryco Psycho]

All you really need si the right side panel everything else is the same so yeah I would leave the vin intact just to save future aggrivation / problems .
I would strengthen the lower rad support area anyway

[Beekeeper]

If I were buying an RT, the number would mean a lot to me but on a 318 car I don't think anyone is gonna make an issue of it. I'd buy it if I liked it and the price were right. I certainly wouldn't try and get the price down on the seller just because of that missing number. Many original restored cars suffered a front end collision at some point in their lives and got new radiator supports welded in.

That being said, Aniauto is right that it's not much extra work. If you choose not to reuse the number, I would keep the upper piece just in case it's a deal breaker for some potential buyer down the road. Costs nothing to hold onto the upper bar.

[rftroy]

All you really need si the right side panel everything else is the same so yeah I would leave the vin intact just to save future aggrivation / problems .
I would strengthen the lower rad support area anyway

Actually, the left side panel is different also.  It is narrower.

Bob

[Chryco Psycho]

My mistake , I thought it was just the one side that was different but looking more closely at your pic it seems maybe what 1" wider there

[anlauto]

I'm confused too, unless there was such a thing as a 19" rad support ? I've never seen a situation where the driver's side needed to be changed as well 

[1 Wild R/T]

I'm confused too, unless there was such a thing as a 19" rad support ? I've never seen a situation where the driver's side needed to be changed as well 

They are both different, always have been... They only reproduce the right panel & it's not the same as stock, it's made so by only replacing the right panel the 26" radiator fits.... But it's not centered properly...

[4 speed fish]

The left side is now being reproduced.They are on Ebay.I have done two 26 inch conversions and the fit was perfect.

[rftroy]

After stripping more of the car and taking a closer look, I think Alan is right.  There appear to only be a few spot welds attaching the side panels to the top rad support.
Only have one time to do it right (car will never be this far apart again in my lifetime), might as well do it right.

Thanks for the input guys.

Robert

[anlauto]

They are both different, always have been... They only reproduce the right panel & it's not the same as stock, it's made so by only replacing the right panel the 26" radiator fits.... But it's not centered properly...

I find this fact odd....I've done several swaps replacing only the passenger side panel, the off set can't be that noticeable otherwise your fan would hit the shroud? 

[rftroy]

The left side is ~3/4 to 1 inch narrower with 26" radiator.
I will measure and post picture when I get going today.
Yep, the radiator would be that much off center.  As I recall, there isn't that much play in the mounting holes.
I'll send a parts book page too.  Panels have different part numbers on each side.

Robert

[WildJones]

How much of a hassle is it to swap panels from a 22" to 26" setup on a car thats already been painted? Engine bay is painted wrinkle black from PO (and needs to be touched up in places anyways)...

[anlauto]

Might be a 70 only thing ?
Look at this original 26" 1971 rad support...Looks more like the one in your car on the left side

[rftroy]

Well, I'm glad now that I made this post.  It has brought up important questions I didn't ask.

Alan,
I went outside and took a look at the 73 26" rad support from the same angle as your photograph.  They look the same from as close as my eye can determine.
In the 70-71 parts book, the 70 and 71 E Bodies have different part numbers for the side panels.  However, that would be expected due to different hole patterns from year to year. 

I just went and looked in the 74 book and it has the same part number as the 71 E Body.
Another 70 only part!!!
Well, that explains why mine looks like your 71 picture.  Let's call them identical.

So now, is the 1970 different in form fit and function?
I just checked the K member numbers.  Same part number for E Body V8 for 70 and 71, 3583074, so engine is in same location relative to frame.
(Also noticed that although E and B bodies had different part numbers in 70, they used the same 70 E Body K for both in 71, unless you got a skid)

As far as I know (but this IS Chrysler) radiator flanges didn't change widths between 70 and 71, so, at this point, I feel safe putting the 26" pieces I have on.  I will go on the assumption that the different part numbers was due to hole layout changes.

Anyone have any more radiator information to add to this?

Robert