fireturd350
Supreme Member
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Sep 14, 2017
Just got down making my custom radiator mount today for my new radiator (Griffin 31x19" 1.25" 2 row).
Figured I would post the pics and steps on here incase someone else ever wanted to see what it takes to get this radiator put into the car. BTW this radiator is onsale right now at Summit Racing for $200, until 4/17/10.
I trimmed the lower mounts down so the were completely flat on the bottom and notched the sides out so the radiator would sit in them easily. I checked by test fitting the radiator in the car. At this point I found out the radiator was so big I wasn't going to be able to use the OEM dual fan mount.
It was way to tight and I used a hammer to ding in the sheet metal on the car. I used a 26" Walmart Bike Tube to wrap the radiator. I cut out the valve stem then split it down the center with a pocket knife. I put the inside of the tube facing out (it was coated in white powder so it slid easily). I pulled it around the outside of the radiator. I then cut a hole for the radiator cap and pulled the tube over it.
I bought some galvanized steel 24"x12" (would have liked a 26", but had to use what I could get). I made a cardboard cutout of the steel. This allowed me to measure, bend it faster than working with the steel and cheaper too if I messed up.
After I had all my measurements and bends I transfered them the sheet metal with a perm. black marker.
I don't have a sheet metal bender so I had to use the side of work bench, some clamps, and my hands. Luckily for me I have gorrilla hands.
I used a ballpeen hammer and a 2x4 board to smooth out any dents I got while bending.
I cut the lip with some shears and used a bench grinder to smooth it out again.
After the new plate was drilled I bolted it on.
I had to readjust some angles to make it tighter.
It's basically done except for the back lip needs to be a little tighter. It sticks out so much because it's going to be part of my fan shroud I'll make when I get more time. I plan on it being 1.5" deep and have the permacool electric 12" fans recessed inside it an 1" to give me more room. I got a nice piece of 36"x48" aluminum sheet already bought for it.
Figured I would post the pics and steps on here incase someone else ever wanted to see what it takes to get this radiator put into the car. BTW this radiator is onsale right now at Summit Racing for $200, until 4/17/10.
I trimmed the lower mounts down so the were completely flat on the bottom and notched the sides out so the radiator would sit in them easily. I checked by test fitting the radiator in the car. At this point I found out the radiator was so big I wasn't going to be able to use the OEM dual fan mount.
It was way to tight and I used a hammer to ding in the sheet metal on the car. I used a 26" Walmart Bike Tube to wrap the radiator. I cut out the valve stem then split it down the center with a pocket knife. I put the inside of the tube facing out (it was coated in white powder so it slid easily). I pulled it around the outside of the radiator. I then cut a hole for the radiator cap and pulled the tube over it.
I bought some galvanized steel 24"x12" (would have liked a 26", but had to use what I could get). I made a cardboard cutout of the steel. This allowed me to measure, bend it faster than working with the steel and cheaper too if I messed up.
After I had all my measurements and bends I transfered them the sheet metal with a perm. black marker.
I don't have a sheet metal bender so I had to use the side of work bench, some clamps, and my hands. Luckily for me I have gorrilla hands.
I used a ballpeen hammer and a 2x4 board to smooth out any dents I got while bending.
I cut the lip with some shears and used a bench grinder to smooth it out again.
After the new plate was drilled I bolted it on.
I had to readjust some angles to make it tighter.
It's basically done except for the back lip needs to be a little tighter. It sticks out so much because it's going to be part of my fan shroud I'll make when I get more time. I plan on it being 1.5" deep and have the permacool electric 12" fans recessed inside it an 1" to give me more room. I got a nice piece of 36"x48" aluminum sheet already bought for it.