Radiator support replacement

quickster

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Hey all, finally have my motor back together and the bugs worked ouy(hopefully), I can focus my attention to some body issues. Both sides of the support is just about on the frame, so it's time to replace. Any tips to get the old one out and new one in? Seems all the weight in the front is sitting there, so where is the best place to jack from? Was thinking of hanging the radiator with some chain from my lift. Any help would def be appreciated.
 

Shadetreemechanic

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There is not that much weight there once the radiator is gone. I think I just let my fenders hang unsupported when I replaced mine.
 

quickster

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Does anything spread once the top support is undone from the fenders? just don't want any surprises.
 

IDIBRONCO

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It didn't when I did the core support swap in my Bronco. I did like Shadetree said and just let everything hang when I removed the support. I did already have the radiator out since I was doing the 302/6.9 swap at the same time. In fact, IIRC, I may have removed the core support, then pulled the 306/C6, next I put the 6.9/Zf5 in, and then put the diesel core support back in. Everything would have hung there fine during the whole process.
 

Shadetreemechanic

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The inner fenders hold everything together. The only surprise I had was a pleasant one; namely that the core support can be replaced in the OBS trucks without breaking into the ac system. The condenser hoses go through the main opening for the radiator instead of through holes in the core support.
 

quickster

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did you find anything worth noting with the motor ?
Nothing too significant. Still had some crosshatching on the cylinder walls, so that was a good sign. I had to replace all the exhaust valves due to recession. Guides were replaced also. Heads were milled, clearance set, etc. Block had some indenting from steel rings in the head gaskets, just like my rebuilder said there would be. Not so bad that I would have to mill the block thank God. I would have never thought to have looked for that. So far so good.
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quickster

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The inner fenders hold everything together. The only surprise I had was a pleasant one; namely that the core support can be replaced in the OBS trucks without breaking into the ac system. The condenser hoses go through the main opening for the radiator instead of through holes in the core support.
I don't have AC. Sucks, but I wouldn't have been able to pick up a support either. All I could find were made for trucks with no AC.
 

david85

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The inner fenders hold everything together. The only surprise I had was a pleasant one; namely that the core support can be replaced in the OBS trucks without breaking into the ac system. The condenser hoses go through the main opening for the radiator instead of through holes in the core support.

Same on my 1986. Not sure about the bricknose core support, but I know on the other years the main opening for the rad is very wide compared to the gas version.
 
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