Radiator mounting-doesn't fit

[TimC]

Started on the radiator this afternoon and ran into a little problem. Either the top bracket is too short or the radiator or mount is wrong. There is about a 1.5" gap between the mount and the frame.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a358/coyote5150/B1784F52-D36A-4E1D-A8C7-76B41BE41A57-3998-0000024C2047A1BF_zps02b7e495.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a358/coyote5150/F6920781-9575-4463-8EF9-E29D24660F13-3998-0000024C51C448D7_zpsa7400c62.jpg

I'm looking for ideas. What would be the best? If the rad stays where it is will it cause a clearance problem when I put the front clip on? I can move the lower mounts, build a new top mount or install spacers, (UGH!)

[michael everson]

That is fairly normal. I just finished one that was the same way. I made spacers between the bracket and the frame rails. No issues with clearance to the hood.
Mike

[Fluge]

Hi Tim

That whole rad thing was a bit of a challenge. The steel strap was short but once you tighten it up to the frame it seems to mold to the rad in the corners and almost seems to "stretch" a little. If I recall correctly, I also grounded down the lower steel rad supports before adding the rubber bumpers.

Overall I did things a little different than what you seem to be doing. I wasn't sure exactly how to mount the rad aluminum without risking interference under the hood...so I put all that rad stuff aside and worked on mounting the hood first, then went back to fit the aluminum and the rad using the hood as a guide...this was the only way I could make sure that everything fit for sure.

Marc

[willy]

Do not forget to put something between the strape and the Rad, I used some of the flat weather stripeing in the kit, I also had a gap about !/4' on eachside after it is sucked down like Fluge said.

[TimC]

Thanks for the replies. Time to make a spacer. It will be bolted or riveted to the frame then bolt the strap to the spacer as it seems too narrow to reach both frame rails. The weatherstripping has already been installed on the strap. At this point I'm just roughing in the aluminum so I can get a better idea of where to mount the wiring and other front area stuff.

[CJBergquist]

Times 2 what Marc said...wait to the radiator sheet metal after the nose is on.

[xlr8or]

Also don't over-tighten the mount. All it needs to do is hold it steady or you will add stress to the joints between the tanks and coolant tubes/fins.