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Radiator Support Removal Advice

Printed From: The Ford Torino Page
Category: General Discussion
Forum Name: Auto Body Forum
Forum Description: Discussion of anything related to body, paint and metal work/restoration
URL: https://forum.grantorinosport.org/forum_posts.asp?TID=19251
Printed Date: 28-March-2024 at 7:43AM
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: Radiator Support Removal Advice
Posted By: texanrebel
Subject: Radiator Support Removal Advice
Date Posted: 30-November-2020 at 5:21AM
On my 72, I was doing some work on my radiator so I have it, the fan shroud & fan off. The radiator support looks pretty crappy so I decided to take it off so I could blast & refinish. To get it off, do you need to first remove a fender, headlight supports, grill supports or anything major? I have all fasteners off that I can see that are attached to the rad. support but it does not physically move. It's really stumping me, I have crawled all over it and don't see anything else screwed in. Is there something hidden that may not be redially apparent that has to come off first? Thanks for any input...ready to start drinking

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1972 Montego GT
1977 Mercury Monarch
1988 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe



Replies:
Posted By: 72 RS 351
Date Posted: 30-November-2020 at 6:15AM
That is the center mounting for all of the front end parts. There are two frame body mount bolts, plus those of the fenders, and inner fenders for sure. I think the very front parts bolt to the fenders and inner fenders, except for the brace at the hood latch area.


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Don
73 Ranchero "Sport 72 front end", floor shift/console, planning EFI 7000+ rpm 351-4V &4R70W
73 Ranchero GT 351C-4V &4R70W for sale later.
92 Lincoln Mark VII SE GTC, OBDII 347/4R70W


Posted By: texanrebel
Date Posted: 30-November-2020 at 6:24AM
Yep, got the 2 frame mounting bolts - they were tough, pretty rusty plus old undercoating. Had to soak in PB blaster a good while. The bushings are toast so will be replacing those. Makes me wonder if all the factory undercoat is acting like an adhesive / welding...I was hitting the support all around with a rubber mallet to see if it would dislodge. Walked away and doing other things. Revisit later with clear mind.

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1972 Montego GT
1977 Mercury Monarch
1988 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe


Posted By: californiajohnny
Date Posted: 30-November-2020 at 1:19PM
2 bolts on top front of each fender, 2 frame bolts, lower fender braces bolt to each side, and 2 or 3 at the front of each inner fender to the support
 the headlight housings bolt to the fenders and several brackets are mounted to the support as well.
 sounds like you missed the inner fender to core support bolts? look in from underneath with the tire off... they are under where the battery sits and same on the other side.
 and the hood latch brace of coarse...


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JOHN
74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE
74 VETTE CUSTOM
90 S10 BLAZER 4X4 LIFTED
77 CELICA CUSTOM
75 V8 MONZA SUPERCHARGED
79 COURIER VERT. SLAMMED
75 VEGA V6 5 SPD
70 CHEV C10 P/U
68 MUSTANG FB CONVERSION


Posted By: texanrebel
Date Posted: 01-December-2020 at 2:55PM
Thank you for the replies, sorry for my delay. The only fasteners I have not removed are the 2 frame bolts on the underside of the rad. support. I removed the 2 top ones but have been unsuccessful getting the ones on the bottom to come off without the whole threaded stud and bushings / spacers turning with it. I put the nut back on the top frame connection and placed a deep socket with the handle wedged, but the whole stud turns when I try to remove the one on the bottom. I'm attaching a couple of pictures, hopefully the photos are clear, been having phone issues.

I really thought that with the top ones removed that thing would at least budge when i tried to lift up but it is frozen! I don't see any welds on the support to the frame. I may just end up taking everything off on the front of the car to see what is going on

Top view looking down, battery tray fastener holes on left side of pic for reference.



Bottom view looking up



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1972 Montego GT
1977 Mercury Monarch
1988 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe


Posted By: texanrebel
Date Posted: 02-December-2020 at 5:41AM
Success! Took off grill & light housings / brackets...gave it some "encourgement" with the rubber mallet and it broke loose. As suspected (because I was out of ideas) it was glued to the frame by the old undercoating. Now to find bushings, sandblast, paint and put all back on.

Thanks gents for the info


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1972 Montego GT
1977 Mercury Monarch
1988 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe


Posted By: californiajohnny
Date Posted: 02-December-2020 at 1:39PM
here's what i used with part #'s (change the last letter to a G if you want black) and pics and a diagram...

http://forum.grantorinosport.org/info-core-radiator-support-bushing_topic6781_page2.html" rel="nofollow - http://forum.grantorinosport.org/info-core-radiator-support-bushing_topic6781_page2.html


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JOHN
74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE
74 VETTE CUSTOM
90 S10 BLAZER 4X4 LIFTED
77 CELICA CUSTOM
75 V8 MONZA SUPERCHARGED
79 COURIER VERT. SLAMMED
75 VEGA V6 5 SPD
70 CHEV C10 P/U
68 MUSTANG FB CONVERSION


Posted By: texanrebel
Date Posted: 02-December-2020 at 9:53PM
That's great-thanks John

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1972 Montego GT
1977 Mercury Monarch
1988 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe



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