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'64 Skylark Radiator Upper Support Bracket Needed


Machine Gun

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OK, here's the long shot of the week: I need a radiator upper support bracket for my Skylark. I just received a new radiator that has three rows of tubes like cars that were equipped with heavy-duty cooling. A/C equipped cars would have used this bracket. The H-D radiator tank is wider than the stock tank, which is only 2.25" wide. I need a bracket where the opening is 2.5" wide like in the photo. I'm reaching out to vendors, but if anyone has a parts car with the right bracket please contact me. I prefer to use an original part, but if no joy I'll go the universal route.

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I'm not sure that would work without a lot of modification to match up to my stock bracket. The simplest thing I can thing of, at least simplest in concept, would be to cut the bracket and weld in a 1/4 in. patch on either side. That way everything will line up and I'll be able to use the existing shroud attachment point that's welded between the two sides of the bracket. I'm reaching out to metalworking shops this afternoon to see if I can find one that's willing to take on a small job like that.

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I cut the original bracket and joined the pieces back together 1/4 in. apart with a steel mending plate bolted to the separated pieces. I couldn't find a local shop willing to do such a small job and I don't know anyone with a welder, hence the mending plate solution.  The new radiator is 1/2" taller than the original, but I was able to do some bending in a vise to get the stock bracket to take up the vertical slack. It's far from elegant, but it will meet my needs. Once the heat and humidity drop to the levels recommended on the paint can I'll spray the bracket and put it back on the car. If a proper bracket shows up I'll buy it, but this will do for now. You can't tell it from a factory bracket unless you look at it.

Edited by Machine Gun (see edit history)
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  • 2 weeks later...

Update: My radiator replacement project is done. My original solution used mending plates to join the cut pieces as described in my post above. It looked quite awful, but it would have done the job. Then @EmTee graciously offered to have a go at fabricating a patch and joining the pieces together. The before and after photos tell the story. I'm very grateful for his help.

 

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Edited by Machine Gun (see edit history)
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FYI, I'm going to offer my old radiator to anyone who wants it. It doesn't leak and worked fine, but I'd have it rodded and repainted before I'd install it. It's the standard, two-row radiator that came with the 300 c.i. engine and automatic transmission. I'm going to list in in the Buy/Sell forum, too.

 

I have the box that the new radiator came in, but none of the packing material. If anyone wants it shipped I can take it to the local UPS Store to have them pack it up and ship it at your expense. You can pay them directly. Of course you're welcome to come pick it up.

 

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Edited by Machine Gun (see edit history)
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