After market radiator - how did you mount yours?

Author Topic: After market radiator - how did you mount yours?  (Read 1230 times)

Offline Aloid

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After market radiator - how did you mount yours?
« on: August 04, 2010 - 02:16:17 AM »
Hi guys, I have an after market aluminum radiator (26" across) that I'm noodling some mounting brakets for.

I'm curious to see how anyone else has mounted theirs... if you have some picture to share I would appreciate it.

I've got a 73 'Cuda.

Thanks

Alan
'73    (O[   ]||||[   ]O)

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Offline BB73Challenger

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Re: After market radiator - how did you mount yours?
« Reply #1 on: August 04, 2010 - 05:58:44 AM »
I'll try to get some pics up but for mine all I did was I "pinched" it from the top and bottom.

I used some 1" x1" ( if I remeber correctly ) square tube and set 2 side by side that the rad sits on.
Then with another 2 pieces on top I'm "clamping" it in.

I even insulated it from vibration with some of that foam weather insulator stuff for windows.
Jeff from Cleveland, Ohio

Offline Aloid

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Re: After market radiator - how did you mount yours?
« Reply #2 on: August 04, 2010 - 12:49:48 PM »
I like the idea of using tubing... will explore that angle as it should give the lift and support I'm looking for...  ;)  sounds like a bra... sassy!

Thank you!
'73    (O[   ]||||[   ]O)

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Offline 73EStroker

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Re: After market radiator - how did you mount yours?
« Reply #3 on: August 04, 2010 - 07:31:25 PM »
I welded aluminum plates on to the tanks (crossflow rad) similar to a stocker. Then I drilled 4 holes (1 in each corner) and mounted alongside the original holes. I had a 22" rad and fitted a 26". It fills the hole with cooling fins exposed so had to move the bolt holes outward. I used 4 x 5/16 x 2-1/2" bolts and used a spring arrangement to hold the rad against the car rad plate. I drilled the holes to 7/16". So what this does is let the rad move when you are putting it to the metal. Ever seen a rad with the mount brackets pulled off? No problems and no cooling problems even idling around town at 100F with no shroud.
Cannot provide pics until I get back home on the 13th Aug if you are interested.
« Last Edit: August 04, 2010 - 07:35:28 PM by 73EStroker »
Barry (Salmon Arm)

Offline brads70

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Re: After market radiator - how did you mount yours?
« Reply #4 on: August 04, 2010 - 08:46:07 PM »
I used "well nuts" ( I think that's what they are called?) My local industrial hardware supply has a huge box of them and they were just the thing I needed when I was mounting my Allstar rad. If anyone needs some and can't find them locally I can see if they still have some? I think they were 3 bucks each or something like that?
"Well nuts"


Then I made a small bracket and used stainless carriage bolts with a small flat milled on the side so you can get a wrench on it so it won't spin when I used stainless nylon lock nut and stainless washers on the other side. This mounted it in rubber so it will take some shock. I didn't want to mount it solid. I then just pop riveted it to the flange on the rad ( top off rad) 4 rivets per bracket. It does go around the back side of the flange( U shaped) ,just can't see it very good in the picture?



On the bottom I went to the junkyard and found some of these stock rubber mounts for rads ( I think it was for a ford truck but can't remember?) My local junkyard removes all the rads so I could see these sitting in the bottom on the rad saddles in the cars. I took a few pairs in different sizes.  I got a pair that fits snug in the flange that is on the rad on the bottom.

I then milled slots that snugly fit the rubber mounts in a  flat plate that uses the holes  to attach to the car that are already there on the rad support. I also added a support from under the rad to support to the new plate I just added. I had to drill those holes though.
 
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
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http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline thedodgeboys

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Re: After market radiator - how did you mount yours?
« Reply #5 on: August 04, 2010 - 10:30:53 PM »
That looks cool brad,
I had my rad built with stock mounting location holes.
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Offline brads70

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Re: After market radiator - how did you mount yours?
« Reply #6 on: August 04, 2010 - 10:35:02 PM »
That looks cool brad,
I had my rad built with stock mounting location holes.
Thanks! Ya I'm cheap! :bigsmile:  I think the rad was $200 and it fit the HHR fan like a glove!
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline Aloid

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Re: After market radiator - how did you mount yours?
« Reply #7 on: August 05, 2010 - 01:08:03 AM »
Thanks for the ideas Brad.   That lower support will be interesting to deal with.   I'm going to pull the rad this weekend to really get a look at what I've got to work with.  I like the idea of plates with rubber supports propped up from the bottom.

Alan
'73    (O[   ]||||[   ]O)

////  NAME CHANGED TO 360FISH  \\\\

Offline Aloid

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Re: After market radiator - how did you mount yours?
« Reply #8 on: August 05, 2010 - 02:20:30 AM »
I have a diagram that shows the HHR fan is 21 11/16th wide.   Is that how it really measures up against the rad?  Stupid question I know, but my rad is 21" between the "posts" and I might not be able to fit it.  That would suck.  Any chance someone could confirm that measure?
Thank you,
Alan
'73    (O[   ]||||[   ]O)

////  NAME CHANGED TO 360FISH  \\\\

Offline brads70

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Re: After market radiator - how did you mount yours?
« Reply #9 on: August 05, 2010 - 08:02:37 AM »
I have a 21" rad too and the HHR fan measures 22 3/8 . It overhanges on the tanks a little but it does fit really good! I had to trim a little off around the hoses.

Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline Aloid

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Re: After market radiator - how did you mount yours?
« Reply #10 on: August 05, 2010 - 07:24:44 PM »
Again, many thanks Brad!  I'll order one tonight and start collecting doodads to hook it up.
 :cheers:
'73    (O[   ]||||[   ]O)

////  NAME CHANGED TO 360FISH  \\\\

Offline brads70

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Re: After market radiator - how did you mount yours?
« Reply #11 on: August 05, 2010 - 08:35:07 PM »
Again, many thanks Brad!  I'll order one tonight and start collecting doodads to hook it up.
 :cheers:


Glad to give back somehow to this site!. When you order it see if you can get the plug that conects to the HHR wiring?
Plug info look here near ,second last post.
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=68673.0
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0