[John Poling]

Jerry,

GEEESH! It always takes me so long to reply. As Jim mentioned above, I designed my own radiator mount system. I too had the same issue you are having and do not believe you should flex anything to fit so that was my original reason for the rework. The other thing was that I wanted my radiator to be easily removable and utilizing the A&C design, it is not. What I did was to cut apart the original bottom piece they supplied and used only the side pieces welding these to the bumper frame extensions at about a 3 degree forward rake. Then I designed and fab'd a cradle to fit the bottom of my radiator that would extend from side to side to bolt directly to the welded in brackets from the A&C unit I also hand carved lower radiator rubber bushings for the insulators. Doing this allows for you to lift the car, remove 4 bolts on the cradle and two bolts on the top mount and lower the radiator module out the bottom. For the top mounts, I simply threw the parts supplied by A&C in my recycle bin and fab'd simple aluminum plates and had them welded to the front of the radiator tanks and the fab'd another set of "L" brackets that bolt into the horizontal lip in the radiator opening right in front of the radiator, the bracket welded to the radiator then bolts to the one that is attached to the lip in the grill opening area.

Also, keep in mind what you intend to use the car for. I leaned my radiator forward due to forces that could be put on the radiator causing the radiator to create a lift on the front of the car. If the radiator is slanted back, it will cause a lift on the front end at higher speeds, if the radiator is leaned forward it causes a downforce on the front. This theory is based on the direction that the radiator directs airflow. Like I stated above, mine is raked about 3 or so degrees forward and therefore airflow through the radiator will have little effect on high speed steering(Theoretically). Doing this also will help air flow through the radiator easier helping keep your cool, we all know that these things can be difficult to keep cool and every little thing can help.

In mounting my radiator the way I did, I had to do some mods to my radiator, like shortening the nipple for the lower radiator hose connection to clear my steering rack and also I removed the upper radiator cap and had it welded close since I wouldn't be able to access it with the radiator in the car. Also, due to my cradle design I had the drain cock installed in the side of the tank in place of the typical front or rear of the tank.

Any questions? Let me know.

John