1965 Skylark/Special/GS radiator upper support panel

[TrunkMonkey]

I have stuffed a 401 in my 1964 Skylark and have the GS cross flow radiator.

I need the upper support panel/plate and "finger guard" in usable condition.

Not worried about rust, pitting, small cracks or being bent, etc.

I can fabricate a functional piece, but would rather have the correct part.

Thanks! :)

[Loren At 65GS]

  Got both pieces.  Came across the upper mount the other day.

  Loren

[TrunkMonkey]

You wanna send me pics and prices? :)

[BuickGS65]

Not to hijack this thread - but I have a question.

I'm going off memory - wasn't there a different part number for this plate if the car was equipped with heavy duty cooling? (was there heavy duty cooling?)

Again - just going off memory.  Thanks!

[Brian]

The crossflow radiator will not mount into the 64 core support.  The 64 core support is designed for a downflow radiator and the GS radiator is too tall to fit in there and work with the top plate as designed.  To do this right, you really need the lower member from a 65 cross-flow core support to replace the one on the 64. 

[Loren At 65GS]

The crossflow radiator will not mount into the 64 core support.  The 64 core support is designed for a downflow radiator and the GS radiator is too tall to fit in there and work with the top plate as designed.  To do this right, you really need the lower member from a 65 cross-flow core support to replace the one on the 64.

 Brian,

  You may be very correct.
I just don't have enough experience with the '64s.  I do know there was a difference in '65 with the lower support.

  Loren

[TrunkMonkey]

I picked the radiator up from the shop yesterday.
(Lower elbow was split and I had them pressure test it and fix two tube leaks.)

So, I will fit it and see how it sets and what clearance I have at the top of the core support and if it looks like a top plate will fit correctly.

If I have to replace the bottom support, I can do that. I already looked at it and looks like I have to drill the spot welds to separate the two sides and pull all the bumper grill, cross bracing and the hood latch and bracket. Had it all off before, to clean things up, so it will all come off easy.


FWIW I put a similar large crossflow in my 1964 Special in 1979 and all I did was reverse the small bracket from the 300 V8 down-flow and "smashed it" then used a thick piece of rubber for an isolator (the bracket was a temp fix while I looked for a better top mount).

I had no top clearance issues and had the car for 5 years like that, and when I gave it to the ex-wife as a parting gift.

[schlepcar]

The crossflow radiator will not mount into the 64 core support.  The 64 core support is designed for a downflow radiator and the GS radiator is too tall to fit in there and work with the top plate as designed.  To do this right, you really need the lower member from a 65 cross-flow core support to replace the one on the 64.

 Brian,

  You may be very correct.
I just don't have enough experience with the '64s.  I do know there was a difference in '65 with the lower support.

  Loren

I may be wrong,but I think even 65 cars use two different supports. Some 64-5 cars are the same with a horizontal flow,and only gs and 335/300 use the cross flow radiator and support.

[WkillGS]

Not to hijack this thread - but I have a question.

I'm going off memory - wasn't there a different part number for this plate if the car was equipped with heavy duty cooling? (was there heavy duty cooling?)

Again - just going off memory.  Thanks!

Dan, there were 3 different top plates for the crossflow radiator. One for the normal thickness radiator, and one for the thicker (3 row?) version such as used on the GS.
I know for '66 some 300/340 cars got the thicker radiator with certain option combinations such as A/C, towing, hd cooling or station wagon.
1967 GS used yet another different version with an indent at one end for upper hose clearance, and different insulators.

[WkillGS]

I may be wrong,but I think even 65 cars use two different supports. Some 64-5 cars are the same with a horizontal flow,and only gs and 335/300 use the cross flow radiator and support.

I know you meant to say downflow for the 64-early 65.
Buick supposedly changed to crossflow radiators for all A-bodies sometime during 1965.

[TrunkMonkey]

This is the radiator setting in the lower support with the brackets removed.

The bottom three are the OEM radiator for comparison (lower radiator brackets installed)


So I have the room to put rubber isolators under the ends of the tank to properly support the fluid weight.

This leaves me quite a bit of room on the top, as the OEM downflow radiator for the 300 V8, was about 2-1/2 inches above the coresupport.

[Loren At 65GS]

Michael,

  My apologies for the delay.

  Loren

[TrunkMonkey]

I can make those pretty!

[Loren At 65GS]

Message sent.

  Loren

[TrunkMonkey]

Thanks Loren!