Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Saturday Fun - Radiator mounting pad bracket DIY
| Saturday Fun - Radiator mounting pad bracket DIY [message #263357] |
Sat, 04 October 2014 17:34  |
Joe Weir
Messages: 769
Registered: February 2013
Location: Columbia, SC
Karma: 7
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Senior Member |
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So, the whole wrong water pump gasket adventure has me double checking the rest of the cooling system work - namely the radiator.
My radiator expired promptly when I brought it home from its initial service - emptying its coolant in the driveway as I cane to a stop. Absolutely sure it was all I needed to fix the RV, I replaced it with an aluminum one and pressed on. The atmospherically lightened support bracket would have to wait - it seemed solid enough.
Fast forward a year - the atmosphere has been busy. The lightening seems a whole lot bigger - the support needs to be replaced, but the mounting pad support brackets are also casualties. The replacement bracket only had one - what to do?
Shoping at Lowes I stumbled upon a 1" aluminum channel that is the perfect dimension. Cut it down to size, and hit the ends with a dremel to bend them up and viola!
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/6394/radiator_support.jpg
I'm no Kerry when it comes to fabricating aluminum, so excuse the crudeness of the finished product. 
76 Birchaven - "Wicked Mistress" - New engine, trans, alum radiator, brakes, Sully airbags, fuel lines, seats, adult beverage center... those Coachmen guys were really thinking about us second hand owners by including that beverage center...
Columbia, SC.
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| Re: Saturday Fun - Radiator mounting pad bracket DIY [message #263363 is a reply to message #263357] |
Sat, 04 October 2014 18:58  |
Joe Weir
Messages: 769
Registered: February 2013
Location: Columbia, SC
Karma: 7
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Senior Member |
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Forgot the ready to install pic:
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/6394/bracket3.jpg
76 Birchaven - "Wicked Mistress" - New engine, trans, alum radiator, brakes, Sully airbags, fuel lines, seats, adult beverage center... those Coachmen guys were really thinking about us second hand owners by including that beverage center...
Columbia, SC.
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| Re: [GMCnet] Saturday Fun - Radiator mounting pad bracket DIY [message #263366 is a reply to message #263363] |
Sat, 04 October 2014 19:14 |
Kingsley Coach
Messages: 2691
Registered: March 2009
Location: Nova Scotia Canada
Karma: -34
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Nice work !
On Sat, Oct 4, 2014 at 8:58 PM, Joe Weir wrote:
> Forgot the ready to install pic:
>
>
>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/6394/bracket3.jpg
> --
> 76 Birchaven - New engine, trans, aluminum radiator, brakes, airbags, fuel
> lines, seats, upholstery, adult beverage center... those Coachmen guys were
> really thinking about us second hand owners...
> Columbia, SC.
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
--
Michael Beaton
1977 Kingsley 26-11
1977 Eleganza II 26-3
Antigonish, NS
I am not an alcoholic; alcoholics go to meetings.
I am a drunk; I go to parties !
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| Re: [GMCnet] Saturday Fun - Radiator mounting pad bracket DIY [message #263405 is a reply to message #263357] |
Sun, 05 October 2014 09:42 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Joe,
While your handy work is quite nice the engineers that designed the GMC mounted the radiator in rubber blocks for a reason as noted
in the other thread that's bouncing around it was so that it would be grounded to the engine through the transmission cooler tubes.
Also be advised I have had the caps off a radiator and seen the thickness of the brass around the mounts and while aluminum you used
is probably softer than brass you now have metal to metal and the brass will wear.
I would not follow your lead for the reasons above; you can get the rubber pads from JimK:
http://www.appliedgmc.com/prod.itml/icOid/1145
Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic
USAussie - Downunder
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org [mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Joe Weir
Sent: Saturday, October 04, 2014 5:34 PM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: [GMCnet] Saturday Fun - Radiator mounting pad bracket DIY
So, the whole wrong water pump gasket adventure has me double checking the rest of the cooling system work - namely the radiator.
My radiator expired promptly when I brought it home from its initial service - emptying its coolant in the driveway as I cane to a
stop. Absolutely
sure it was all I needed to fix the RV, I replaced it with an aluminum one and pressed on. The atmospherically lightened support
bracket would have
to wait - it seemed solid enough.
Fast forward a year - the atmosphere has been busy. The lightening seems a whole lot bigger - the support needs to be replaced, but
the mounting pad
support brackets are also casualties. The replacement bracket only had one - what to do?
Shoping at Lowes I stumbled upon a 1" aluminum channel that is the perfect dimension. Cut it down to size, and hit the ends with a
dremel to bend
them up and viola!
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/6394/radiator_support.jpg
I'm no Kerry when it comes to fabricating aluminum, so excuse the crudeness of the finished product. :d
--
76 Birchaven - New engine, trans, aluminum radiator, brakes, airbags, fuel lines, seats, upholstery, adult beverage center... those
Coachmen guys were
really thinking about us second hand owners...
Columbia, SC.
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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| Re: [GMCnet] Saturday Fun - Radiator mounting pad bracket DIY [message #263414 is a reply to message #263405] |
Sun, 05 October 2014 10:27 |
Kingsley Coach
Messages: 2691
Registered: March 2009
Location: Nova Scotia Canada
Karma: -34
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Senior Member |
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Pads are also available from a junk yard that scraps school buses.
Mike
On Sun, Oct 5, 2014 at 11:42 AM, Rob Mueller
wrote:
> Joe,
>
> While your handy work is quite nice the engineers that designed the GMC
> mounted the radiator in rubber blocks for a reason as noted
> in the other thread that's bouncing around it was so that it would be
> grounded to the engine through the transmission cooler tubes.
>
> Also be advised I have had the caps off a radiator and seen the thickness
> of the brass around the mounts and while aluminum you used
> is probably softer than brass you now have metal to metal and the brass
> will wear.
>
> I would not follow your lead for the reasons above; you can get the rubber
> pads from JimK:
>
> http://www.appliedgmc.com/prod.itml/icOid/1145
>
> Regards,
> Rob M.
> The Pedantic Mechanic
> USAussie - Downunder
> USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
> AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org [mailto:
> gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Joe Weir
> Sent: Saturday, October 04, 2014 5:34 PM
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> Subject: [GMCnet] Saturday Fun - Radiator mounting pad bracket DIY
>
> So, the whole wrong water pump gasket adventure has me double checking the
> rest of the cooling system work - namely the radiator.
>
> My radiator expired promptly when I brought it home from its initial
> service - emptying its coolant in the driveway as I cane to a
> stop. Absolutely
> sure it was all I needed to fix the RV, I replaced it with an aluminum one
> and pressed on. The atmospherically lightened support
> bracket would have
> to wait - it seemed solid enough.
>
> Fast forward a year - the atmosphere has been busy. The lightening seems
> a whole lot bigger - the support needs to be replaced, but
> the mounting pad
> support brackets are also casualties. The replacement bracket only had
> one - what to do?
>
> Shoping at Lowes I stumbled upon a 1" aluminum channel that is the perfect
> dimension. Cut it down to size, and hit the ends with a
> dremel to bend
> them up and viola!
>
>
>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/6394/radiator_support.jpg
>
> I'm no Kerry when it comes to fabricating aluminum, so excuse the
> crudeness of the finished product. :d
> --
> 76 Birchaven - New engine, trans, aluminum radiator, brakes, airbags, fuel
> lines, seats, upholstery, adult beverage center... those
> Coachmen guys were
> really thinking about us second hand owners...
> Columbia, SC.
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
--
Michael Beaton
1977 Kingsley 26-11
1977 Eleganza II 26-3
Antigonish, NS
I am not an alcoholic; alcoholics go to meetings.
I am a drunk; I go to parties !
_______________________________________________
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Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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| Re: [GMCnet] Saturday Fun - Radiator mounting pad bracket DIY [message #263444 is a reply to message #263424] |
Sun, 05 October 2014 13:50 |
Joe Weir
Messages: 769
Registered: February 2013
Location: Columbia, SC
Karma: 7
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Senior Member |
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It absolutely does. The aluminum radiator radiator has wider mounting points. Not knowing the finer points of the GMC radiator mounts, and completely disregarding the extensive instructions from Griffin (who reads installation instructions anyway), the first time around we did without the bracket (it was dissolved anyway) on one side. After only a year the condition of the unsupported pad was not pretty. I figured at least the aluminum would not rust.
While a southern coach, I suspect the radiator had issues and was leaking for many years. That said, corroded radiator supports can't be that uncommon after 40 years and multiple owners. Do we have anyone who makes a replacement?
bdub wrote on Sun, 05 October 2014 11:10Rob
Joe created the bracket only to HOLD the rubber pad. It does require
something to keep it in place.
bdub
On Oct 5, 2014 9:42 AM, "Rob Mueller" wrote:
... snip ...
while aluminum you used is probably softer than brass you now have metal to
metal and the brass will wear.
... snip ...
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Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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76 Birchaven - "Wicked Mistress" - New engine, trans, alum radiator, brakes, Sully airbags, fuel lines, seats, adult beverage center... those Coachmen guys were really thinking about us second hand owners by including that beverage center...
Columbia, SC.
|
|
|
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| Re: [GMCnet] Saturday Fun - Radiator mounting pad bracket DIY [message #263449 is a reply to message #263405] |
Sun, 05 October 2014 14:03 |
Joe Weir
Messages: 769
Registered: February 2013
Location: Columbia, SC
Karma: 7
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Senior Member |
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|
As it happens, the new pads did indeed come from Applied, as did the two piece radiator shroud.
With the amount of cross country packages I have had shipped for Wicked Mistress, I should be getting Christmas hams or at least a personal thank you card from UPS...
USAussie wrote on Sun, 05 October 2014 09:42
... you can get the rubber pads from JimK:
http://www.appliedgmc.com/prod.itml/icOid/1145
Regards,
Rob M.
76 Birchaven - "Wicked Mistress" - New engine, trans, alum radiator, brakes, Sully airbags, fuel lines, seats, adult beverage center... those Coachmen guys were really thinking about us second hand owners by including that beverage center...
Columbia, SC.
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| Re: [GMCnet] Saturday Fun - Radiator mounting pad bracket DIY [message #263561 is a reply to message #263444] |
Mon, 06 October 2014 10:56 |
sgltrac
Messages: 2797
Registered: April 2011
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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I ran into a similar situation when I had the original copper brass radiator re cored. I'm guessing that standard available new rad cores are wider than the original gmc core. I moved one pair of rad brackets out 3/4" if I remember correctly.
Todd Sullivan
Sully
77 royale
Seattle
> On Oct 5, 2014, at 11:50 AM, Joe Weir wrote:
>
> It absolutely does. The aluminum radiator radiator has wider mounting points. Not knowing the finer points of the GMC radiator mounts, and
> completely disregarding the extensive instructions from Griffin (who reads installation instructions anyway), the first time around we did without
> the bracket (it was dissolved anyway) on one side. After only a year the condition of the unsupported pad was not pretty. I figured at least the
> aluminum would not rust.
>
> While a southern coach, I suspect the radiator had issues and was leaking for many years. That said, corroded radiator supports can't be that
> uncommon after 40 years and multiple owners. Do we have anyone who makes a replacement?
>
>
> bdub wrote on Sun, 05 October 2014 11:10
>> Rob
>>
>> Joe created the bracket only to HOLD the rubber pad. It does require
>> something to keep it in place.
>>
>> bdub
>>
>> On Oct 5, 2014 9:42 AM, "Rob Mueller" wrote:
>>
>> ... snip ...
>> while aluminum you used is probably softer than brass you now have metal to
>> metal and the brass will wear.
>> ... snip ...
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
>
> --
> 76 Birchaven - New engine, trans, aluminum radiator, brakes, airbags, fuel lines, seats, upholstery, adult beverage center... those Coachmen guys were
> really thinking about us second hand owners...
> Columbia, SC.
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
Sully
77 Royale basket case.
Future motorhome land speed record holder(bucket list)
Seattle, Wa.
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| Re: [GMCnet] Saturday Fun - Radiator mounting pad bracket DIY [message #263600 is a reply to message #263444] |
Mon, 06 October 2014 17:35 |
Joe Weir
Messages: 769
Registered: February 2013
Location: Columbia, SC
Karma: 7
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Senior Member |
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This is worth the entertainment value. For your viewing pleasure, the infamous high speed, low-drag, lightweight, aerodynamic radiator support:
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/6394/radiator_support1.jpg
I know, I know, it just needed a lick of paint...
Thanks to Chuck Boyd for the replacement!
Joe Weir wrote on Sun, 05 October 2014 13:50It absolutely does. The aluminum radiator radiator has wider mounting points. Not knowing the finer points of the GMC radiator mounts, and completely disregarding the extensive instructions from Griffin (who reads installation instructions anyway), the first time around we did without the bracket (it was dissolved anyway) on one side. After only a year the condition of the unsupported pad was not pretty. I figured at least the aluminum would not rust.
While a southern coach, I suspect the radiator had issues and was leaking for many years. That said, corroded radiator supports can't be that uncommon after 40 years and multiple owners. Do we have anyone who makes a replacement?
bdub wrote on Sun, 05 October 2014 11:10Rob
Joe created the bracket only to HOLD the rubber pad. It does require
something to keep it in place.
bdub
On Oct 5, 2014 9:42 AM, "Rob Mueller" wrote:
... snip ...
while aluminum you used is probably softer than brass you now have metal to
metal and the brass will wear.
... snip ...
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
76 Birchaven - "Wicked Mistress" - New engine, trans, alum radiator, brakes, Sully airbags, fuel lines, seats, adult beverage center... those Coachmen guys were really thinking about us second hand owners by including that beverage center...
Columbia, SC.
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