CK5
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Source for 4 core upper radiator mounts, 81 and up? (mid size bushings?)

I spent a lot of time with the dremel tool, and enlarged the channels in the 2 core bushing... notched the top plates/brackets... and although it is secure, i worry about it a little. I plan to go walk a few wrecking yards and make the correct bracket out of a handful of used brackets and bushings...
I believe the brass radiator in my k5 now, is one of the universal fit ones offered for a square body over at summit -has that goofy stepped inlet at the top (trim to fit for wider hoses)

I guess its just another afternoon project to end up with a one off "unobtanium for future replacement" part?? that is, unless I hear of a more gooder way, or someone posts a link to an affordable alternative.
 

maybe hard to say for sure. Somebody with 68-79 Nova go measure their core tank width :D
 
I see the Nova set has a longer squared off end which would fit the truck support better, if its long enough for the radiator tank?....they look kind of short and strikingly similar to the 2 core from the truck.
 
Eyeball calibration measuring device, thinks each end is 1/4" plus another 1/4" for squared off end. that should leave a 3"ish slot. Precision measurements at your service :cool:
 
I have a pair of the the one kind and the one that goes all the way across.
When I get home tonight I'll dig em out and see how they measure. Wouldn't need more than a scuff up and spray can to look new.
These are the ones I have.
Forgot all about pics.
The long one was dirty when it came out. And the second pic is just a quick spray of brake cleaner, 30 sec of wiping, and sprayed again.
Any one needs either let me know.
I don't.

IMG_20230125_190642360.jpg

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There are many different sizes on Amazon. Free returns makes finding the right one easy.

Charlie
 
So no one has a model with 3" bushings that I can just order for that exact model?

I may call LMC or that Nova place and ask them if they can measure them.

I have been trying to avoid supporting big tech companies.
 
I'll measure mine tonight. I've kept a bunch of the rubber bushings. If I can locate the few places they are, I'll see what I have
 
I appreciate that Shady, though unless you know exactly what they came out of, this is for a customer's vehicle so he wants all that type of stuff new. I was hoping someone would say, just get them for a 1985 with a 350 and the towing package w/AC or something to that effect. I had bought new poly bushings but they only offer them in two sizes and the long ones are too long and the short ones too short.
 
Yeah, I have no idea what they came from.
 
I am not sure about poly on radiator. I have never used it, so no experience. Seems like it might be a material hard enough to rub through an aluminum or brass tank.
Poly would be easy enough to make custom ones
 
I am not sure about poly on radiator. I have never used it, so no experience. Seems like it might be a material hard enough to rub through an aluminum or brass tank.
Poly would be easy enough to make custom ones
I would be concerned about transferring too much vibration to the radiator and creating cracks.
I have seen rubber mounts in these concrete mixer trucks kill the rubber mounts and then it can kill the radiator. Also have had poorly made aftermarket radiators break the solder joints from too much flex and vibration.
Not sure what would be the outcome in a light truck with poly mounts and presumably aftermarket radiator.
 
This poly is pretty soft, not worried about it. I think they change the durometer based on the application, they are factory replacements from Energy Suspension made for radiators, but the big block set are too long, I might try the shorter set, it does say 3 row, not 2 row, and they look strikingly similar to that 3 row Nova set...

 
I'll see when I get them, or even an exacto knife. But if it takes too much time at all then a different set will be cheaper. I find myself thinking different when I am working for customer projects because it's pretty easy to eat up cost in labor vs a different part, especially with inexpensive bushings. Whereas if it was my personal vehicle I would just fix it and move on.
 
A router/dermal with rotary file might be all that's needed to make the channel the correct length:dunno:.
thats what i did. carefully.

top and bottom bushings got carved out with the dremel. had to trim a bunch of the metal brackets on top, and I still plan to make newer and better ones when i have 4 to chop and weld back together into 2 longer ones.
 
I just straightened out the 90 where it hooks the radiator and extended the original. Also trimmed the original shroud.67A3192F-D7EC-4B4B-BC97-E986E2681852.jpeg
 
I have been running the poly version for some years now, from Pro-thane I believe, and did have to slightly modify them to work on my HD SBC radiator. No problems to report, even with K10 frame flex.
 
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