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View Full Version : ****-eyed Radiator Crossbar ?


zilverx
04-02-2017, 06:17 PM
Has anyone else experienced this ?

While fitting the radiator to my complete kit (#8415), I realized the crossbar for the top radiator mounts is higher by 3/8" on the driver's side vs. passenger side. The end of the bar on the passenger side is welded onto the short forward slating diagonal brace while the driver side is actually welded part way up into the long stringer that frames the hood. The radiator tank on the driver's side has about 1/8" clearance to the top 3/4" stringer while the passenger side has about 3/4" of clearance. Now that I'm aware of it, the difference is quite noticeable from the engine bay and I am concerned what impact this will have.

I am calling Factory Five in the morning, but I am curious if others have encountered this, and how you dealt with this problem.

Thanks,

Tom
2bking
04-02-2017, 10:46 PM
Mine had a similar problem. I tried to shim the radiator to compensate for the crooked member but that caused other problems. I ended up mounting the radiator to the member and forgetting about the error. After all the parts were installed, the error was not noticeable.
AC Bill
04-02-2017, 11:34 PM
Frame must have been built on a Monday.
CDXXVII
04-02-2017, 11:45 PM
Mine had a similar problem. I tried to shim the radiator to compensate for the crooked member but that caused other problems. I ended up mounting the radiator to the member and forgetting about the error. After all the parts were installed, the error was not noticeable.

Same thing with mine.
AC Bill
04-03-2017, 12:29 AM
You don't suppose FFR did that on purpose, perhaps to allow more clearance for fitting a donor rad, needing more room on one side, or something. Seems odd you would all have the same issue?
j.miller
04-03-2017, 07:15 AM
They are all that way for the Fox donor rad. You are correct AC Bill. From Mk1's to present...da Bat
zilverx
04-03-2017, 07:37 AM
Kind of frustrating, I wanted to put some rubber padding under the radiator tabs for vibration resistance but then the side tank hits the 3/4" tube because it is so close.
zilverx
04-03-2017, 08:57 PM
Spoke with Dan up at Factory Five today. He said that the radiator crossbar is welded in higher on the driver's side to provide for the donor radiator.I suggested that it might be better to weld the crossbar in square and then provide an adaptor for when a donor radiator is used.

I ended up massaging (BFH) the short piece of tube on the driver's side of the crossbar to move it back a bit so the radiator side tank doesn't contact the upper forward tube.