borrone821

iTrader: (3)

Hey guys,
Has anyone put a LS1 radiator in a 68-72 A-body? I'm pretty sure the core supports are actually different between the GTO/Lemans, and chevelle, but I'm just looking to see how people actually mounted their radiator to the core support.
I've done a ton of searching but can't find pics of how the radiator actually bolts up to the core support, or what brackets were added.

thanks
Jim

oldgoat69

I used a Northern Radiator made for the LS swaps in my 69 GTO. It took very little to male it work. I made some brackets at the top and bottom and used the original mount holes for the shroud to mount it. I can provide pictures if you would like to see how I did it.

c6matt

iTrader: (1)

I put a stock 2002 camaro radiator/fan combo on a 69 gto... Let me look for pics, but I ditched the gto shroud and used the top radiator plate for a nova and mounted two pieces of 4" aluminum c channel on the bottom corners (lined with rubber) 5000 miles and no issues.

borrone821

iTrader: (3)

Thanks oldgoat and Matt,
Yeah, pics would be great. I'm just trying to figure out what others did before I start cutting or welding and possibly screw something up.
for some reason I just can visualize how this is supposed to sit in the core support

Jim

c6matt

iTrader: (1)

borrone821

iTrader: (3)

Hey Matt,
thanks for the pics. Do you have any for the lower mounts? And does that chrome piece just hold the top of the radiator and fan in place?

I don't have that chrome piece or even know where to get one (if all it does is hold the radiator in place, I might just bend some flat stock to secure the radiator/fan)
so how is the top mounted?

c6matt

iTrader: (1)

the chrome piece is from a 70 chevelle. just some rubber mounting blocks wedged in the radiator top rail and bolt the chrom piece where the gto shroud would go.

oldgoat69

You can sort of see the top mount in this picture. The bottom is pretty much the same. I also used a 99-02 F body dual fan.

borrone821

iTrader: (3)

Thanks guys.

Old Goat, are those just L brackets to mount radiator?

Does the radiator fit into the opening at all, or does it sit on brackets to offset it?
Sorry for the stupid questions, when I bought my GTO, it was a shell w/o a core support or radiator, so I don't have any pics of how it was supposed to look

thanks
Jim

oldgoat69

You are right. I used long strips of 90 degree aluminum , riveted and bolted to the radiator core reinforcing ribs. They then break over the core support to the stock mountng holes. The lower is the same. All of the stock plastic shroud/radiator mount holes are used. On the engine side I also used strips of aluminum to create a channel for the F body fan assembly to slide into. The fan seals to the radiator face. I have driven the car on a couple of 90 degree plus days and have never seen fan 2 come on yet. Always runs at the thermostat temp of 195. Highest temp to date 201.
As a side note the trans cooler, aftercooler heat exchanger and AC condenser are not in contact with the radiator. I think that helps a great deal by not sinking heat from one to the other.

borrone821

iTrader: (3)

Thank you sir... huge help.
You don't have any pics, do you? I'm trying to figure out how far off the core support the radiator and fans should be.
Also, do you have any rubber isolators? I've read that most use a rubber C channel to mount the lower part of the radiator... just wondering if it's necessary or if I can just use an L bracket and call it a day.

oldgoat69

In the old days radiators were rigid mounted to the core support. I felt that since the core support is a rigid member vibration isolators were not necessary. The radiator hoses are quite flexible and do not seem to cause a bind on the radiator. I will take some pictures for you today.

oldgoat69

I took a couple of pictures of the radiator and mounting.