Clean87TA

Any body here make a sheet metal radiator hold down. I'm in need of one or if some here can make me one I can pay them thanks!

nhra-trans-am

iTrader: (7)

I can take some pics of the one I had made for my car to give you some ideas if you'd like.

D85Z28

I've been looking for one also, would love to see pics and know where I'd be possible to have one made. Ron Davis Radiators makes them (they quoted me $160.00 plus shipping) and they look nice on their website, but I'm still looking for other options. I remember reading some older threads here about a member that used to make them. Not sure if he still does...still trying to find those older threads again...

Clean87TA

PM sent!

nhra-trans-am

iTrader: (7)

Here are some pics

D85Z28

Those are great pics, nice LS motor too! I guess they don't seem that difficult to make...and I can see based on those pics that you really need to have one made specific to the radiator...and they're all a little different. I live in the Central Florida area and I'm sure there has to be a shop around here that can fabricate one...probably for less than the Ron Davis piece ($160 plus shipping). I think finding the actual metal will be the hard part...I've just never had to think about where to get a piece of aluminum...Thanks for the info. Very nice / clean install you have there!

nhra-trans-am

iTrader: (7)

Thanks. I had it made locally for $100 to fit with a 4th gen radiator and dual fans.

Ron U.S.M.C.

If you just need a extension for the stock cover here's what I did.
You can see the plastic piece just in front of the stock one. This way you can keep the hose support and any other extra that the stock piece provides.

novaderrik

is there some reason why a stock piece won't work?

Ron U.S.M.C.

I don't know about the OP but in my case I have a large 16in "backup" pusher fan mounted in front of the condenser. It moved the top of the radiator out 1 inch.
That's just one of the pieces added to my cooling system. Its far from stock.

D85Z28

That is a really great idea and it looks super clean...thanks!

D85Z28

For mine, I'm going to an aftermarket aluminum rad that's a bit wider than stock with a dual fan / aluminum shroud set up, I've seen guys make the stock piece work with some tweaking...but my stock piece is cracked / broken anyway so I'm looking at all the options

formula_novice

iTrader: (1)

For my latest build, I too needed a wider cover to hold an aftermarket aluminum radiator. I fabbed this one up and also made some mounts for the stock fans. It's not fancy at all but it works great

D85Z28

That looks real nice! That's exactly what I'm going for with mine...I think I see the Champion logo on your radiator cap...I've got the Champion 3-row...hopefully mine will turn out as nice as yours, I'll probably wind up making a template and having one fabbed up somewhere

formula_novice

iTrader: (1)

Thanks! I thought about extending/modifying the original cover but it was pretty busted up.

I am using a Champion 3-row aluminum radiator... it's a really nice part... but it didn't fit well in my car. I had to cut the bottom radiator support, lower it, and re-weld it. I've read on here that some others had similar issues. Just a heads-up in case you haven't tried test-fitting yet

Tibo

iTrader: (15)

I made mine for $30. It was even the first time I welded Aluminum and as a whole once installed it looks fantastic.

mmadden55

You can buy 18 guage sheet metal 6 X 24 or 8 x 24 or 12 by 24 at Lowes or Home Depot for less than $20, and you can fab your bends with a couple of 2 x4s, and drill your bolt holes. A hacksaw works great for cutting to length.

PS the inside of your car looks nice Ron!

D85Z28

Great information! I'm for sure willing to try that for the money

mmadden55

Get some cheap poster paper at wally world and make a template so you can do all your cutting and fitting on paper, figure out where your folds go etc. Then use a marker to transfer it to your metal.