My question is: Is it a pretty simple task to remove the radiator on my 1972 454 big block, for flushing and cleaning, or should I consider taking it to a shop to remove and clean it. I will take it to the shop for cleaning and flushing whether I remove it or they remove it. Just thought I would save myself a little money by removing the radiator myself, if it is a pretty simple procedure. Thanks, Jimmie

I just removed the radiator in my 73. If you have a shroud it is difficult to get to the lower hose. The shroud, radiator and radiator support have to come out as a unit. Or at least remove the six bolts that hold the support to the fenders and push it forward, seperate the little extension on the shroud, (small block only?) and then get the shroud out of the way. Took about an hour, because we didn't know the support had to be loosened. JOe

If you have air conditioning I wouldn't unbolt the radiator support frame. You risk disturbing an A/C seal and that can get expensive. Of course by not moving the support frame it makes it extremely difficult to get the radiator out. I did a radiator recore on my C3 (350/350 w/air) last fall and since I am lucky enough to have a heavy duty radiator (car was ordered in Texas) I also have a rather large one piece fan shroud. Needless to say it just BARELY came out of the car after removing the belts & fan and adding a fair amount of prying.

For a flushing/cleaning I would leave the radiator in and just take it to a good shop.

|UPDATED|5/22/2003 12:52:14 AM|/UPDATED|

Thanks everybody, I did get the radiator out, and it was a bitch. I did have to loosen up the radiator support to finally get everything out and all of it back in. Not sure about the A/C seal that you were talking about, but there seems to be no ill affects with my air conditioning. Also I removed my fan and clutch assembly, the air injector and the alternator. With all of this out of the way and the radiator support loosened up on both sides it was still difficult to get everything out and back in. But I don't think I could have done it without damaging the cores on my radiator without removing all the above mentioned items. I just went ahead and had a complete recore done on my radiator, that way I know that it is in good shape. I also flushed out my block while I had everything out, but with just clean high pressure water. The recored radiator made a huge difference. Now when I run down the road with out a/c on, my temperature runs about 165 degrees with the outside temperature around 92 degrees and with a 160 thermostat in my car. With a/c on the temperature hoovers around 208. This still seems a little hot but it was running a lot hotter without the recored radiator. I am happy with the results. Again, thanks to all that replied to my question. Jimmie McGallion

Congrats on the successful installation!!!! Having the recore done while you had the radiator out sounds like a very wise decision. It always amazes me that people spend thousands of dollars on engine upgrades but for some reason they hold on to old radiators rather then spend the 200 bucks to have theirs recored. Sounds like cheap insurance for a major investment to me!

In regards to the A/C, I wasn't referring to any seal in particular but rather keeping the entire system sealed as a whole. My experience (unfortunately) over the years is that all you need to do is stress a component of the A/C system and the next thing you know you're replacing hoses and O rings. Sounds like everything worked out well for you though!!

Enjoy your success!