Somebody mentioned using double-sided tape to stick the bottom of the fan shroud to the radiator. I tried this and it came off on the first drive. Any idea what kind of tape you used? I must not have purchased the good stuff. I did have the stock clips but like others said, they are a PITA. I'm not even sure how they're supposed to go back on. I obviously figured it out once because I remember buying them from Ames and putting them on. I lost them now anyway, so I'd like to try the tape.
Somebody mentioned using double-sided tape to stick the bottom of the fan shroud to the radiator. I tried this and it came off on the first drive. Any idea what kind of tape you used? I must not have purchased the good stuff. I did have the stock clips but like others said, they are a PITA. I'm not even sure how they're supposed to go back on. I obviously figured it out once because I remember buying them from Ames and putting them on. I lost them now anyway, so I'd like to try the tape.
"IF" you can find it, black "cloth" duct tape works great for just about everything. Much stronger then regular duct tape, adheres much better and holds longer. I've only been able to get it through one of our shop supply venders(Kar Products). Its not cheap. Something like $25 a roll last time i bought it 2 yrs ago. Ya, i only use it when i have to
not exactly stock, but could you use closed cell foam/EPDM weatherstripping to fill the gap? Like maybe a decklid weatherstrip cut to fit?
We think alike. I was look'n for some good used weatherstripping to try last night. Know i have some in the garage...somewhere... Got to get rid of all the 76-79 TA parts so i can find stuff, and have room to work when i do. Do have NEW GM 76-81 FB/TA door weatherstrips i could cut up...but at $160.00 ea per side(my cost)...
I used double sided tape to hold the bottom of the shroud to the bottom of the rad. as well and it did work. After a few years I then switched to velcro tape. Put one half on the raditor and the other half on the shroud and bang, works perfectly and holds really well and you can not see it at all...
I used double sided tape to hold the bottom of the shroud to the bottom of the rad. as well and it did work. After a few years I then switched to velcro tape. Put one half on the raditor and the other half on the shroud and bang, works perfectly and holds really well and you can not see it at all...
Getting my Superior radiator in tomorrow!! F*** yeah! Going to try the water wetter again and maybe slightly more water than antifreeze, it seemed to do the trick before the old radiator developed a giant hole. Thanks again for the help. The price was great on the radiator, $242 for the radiator and trans cooler! And the shipping was fast! Now let's hope it gets here in one piece.
So I got the radiator in on Friday and it's not a direct bolt-in. The new one is 27 1/2" wide and 18 1/2" tall, whereas the one I had was 28" wide and 18" tall. The top hole for the transmission cooler is 5 inches lower than on the radiator that I had. The way that it's fitting now, the top hole for the trans cooler is actually inside the opening where the fan would be on the fan shroud. It looks like the problem is near the upper radiator hose. The shroud is hitting the hose because the radiator doesn't have the "flare" on it like my old one does...the part where you connect the upper radiator hose is not flared out about 1/2" to an inch like it is on the old one. If I take a bit of material off of the shroud near the hose it may work, but should I have to do this for something that is supposed to be a direct bolt-in? I would also have to cut about 5 inches or so off of my transmission line and find a flare tool to fix the end. Has anyone else who purchased a Superior radiator had any similar problems? I have a '75 455 engine, and I'm honestly not sure where my old radiator is from, but I purchased a '69 shroud from Ames so I'm not sure why this radiator is not working unless I got sent the wrong one or it was made wrong. Is the top hole on the trans cooler supposed to be right near the top? As measured from the bottom of the radiator, my old one was 17" from the bottom, whereas the new one is 12" from the bottom.
I have a superior rad and it did bolt right in. However, I do not have auto trans. Did you call them before you purchased to be sure it would be correct? Also, as you mentioned, maybe what you have in the car now may not have been a proper application as well. I would give them a call and see what they tell you...
So I called Superior and he says they make the Camaro radiators the same as the Firebird ones, so I'd need to return it and look elsewhere or make this one work. I have no problem with cutting a small amount of material away from the shroud, although I feel I shouldn't have to. However, I'm not sure that even if I do cut the material out to make it fit around the upper radiator hose that it will allow the shroud to move enough to get the upper transmission cooler fitting outside of the shroud...does this make sense? It will be close...and it would be noticeable under the hood, but I guess if I can make a good cut it shouldn't look terrible...all I know is that the other one (the "old radiator") fit and this one doesn't with the stock shroud. Whadya think...if it were your car, would you cut the shroud or return the radiator? I figure it's going to cost me $100 to return it, with the 20% restocking fee, paying for the return shipping, and then paying to get the new one shipped.
Are you sure that you have the correct shroud to start with? Just curious as I mentioned, I also have the Superior rad. in my car and I did not have to cut the shroud. I did however just remembered that I did have to trim some of the mounting flanges on both sides of the rad. It's been awhile and I am not sure why I had to do that, but I did remove some of the flange with a pair of snips.
I am 99% sure I have the correct shroud, for the simple fact that my car did not come with a shroud on it, and I ordered one from Ames. Unless they sent me the wrong one it should be correct. It did fit perfectly with the radiator that was in the car. The Superior guy did say something about not being able to get the trans cooler that he used to use anymore. How are your holes spaced for the trans cooler? Is your upper hole near the top, or is it about 5-6 inches down from the radiator cap? That's my main concern, making sure that the upper threaded hole gets moved outside the shroud. If I take enough material off of the shroud I think it will, but it will be close.
So I went ahead and put the radiator in. I had to take some material off near the upper radiator hose and near the upper transmission cooling line, but the shroud fits now...and my temps have dropped 40 degrees! I haven't seen the upper side of 190 since I put the radiator in.
Just for the heck of it, if I were you, I would recommend dumping in a bottle of Royal Purple or something like it. I can definately tell you that the Royal Purple stuff works and you will see an addition 5-10 degree drop or maybe more.
