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Thread: a little work on the radiator support

  1. #1
    3Geez Veteran lostforawhile's Avatar
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    a little work on the radiator support

    since I'm wiring and the radiator is out, I decided to fill the extra holes in the upper support to make it look better. the factory ones, and the ones from my first attempt at a recovery tank.

    steel plated welded on bottom of support



    I needed to get rid of this gap between the top and the plate


    I'm using lead to fill the gaps, I use acid core plumbing solder which is the same thing as body lead. you need a completely clean surface, and good flux to make it stick. as far as a paddle to spread the melted lead, i just use a pine paint stick burned on the end.





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    Last edited by lostforawhile; 12-01-2010 at 04:28 PM.



  2. #2
    3Geez Veteran lostforawhile's Avatar
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    Re: a little work on the radiator support

    this is what it looks like ground down, I'm using just a little of finishing putty, it's the stuff you use to fill the final imperfections in body filler





    make sure if you use a propane torch use one without a leak!! I was using the torch when it caught fire between the torch and the propane bottle, kicked it into the yard before the relief valve opened and it turned into a flamethrower

  3. #3
    3Geez Veteran lostforawhile's Avatar
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    Re: a little work on the radiator support

    anyone know where to get a replacement piece that goes on that upper support? the rubber seal? the seal doesn't look bad but those little clips have torn out the bottom side of it. I guess I could just mask the area it goes and use some sort of adhesive.

  4. #4

    Dr_Snooz's Avatar
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    Re: a little work on the radiator support

    Lead filler? Going old-school? You know they have this stuff now called Bondo?
    Dr_Snooz

    "I like to take hammers, and just break stuff, just break stuff." - Beavis


    1989 Honda Accord LX-i Coupe, 240k miles, MT swap, rear disc swap

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    3Geez Veteran lostforawhile's Avatar
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    Re: a little work on the radiator support

    Quote Originally Posted by Dr_Snooz View Post
    Lead filler? Going old-school? You know they have this stuff now called Bondo?
    on shallow areas like that, the lead fills much better then any plastic filler, as it bonds directly to the steel. i still had to use some finishing putty, but a very very small amount. I figured I would do this since i'm waiting on that paint to dry anyway. A lot of younger people ae discovering how well leaded filler works, plastic has it's place, but the main reason it's so popular is just convience. it takes time to work with lead but it's worth the effort, the main thing on thinner sheet metal cars is to use propane insteady of oxy like in the old days. they make newer alloys of lead designed just for lower heat propane.
    Last edited by lostforawhile; 12-01-2010 at 11:38 PM.

  6. #6
    3Geez Veteran lostforawhile's Avatar
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    Re: a little work on the radiator support


  7. #7
    3Geez Veteran lostforawhile's Avatar
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    Re: a little work on the radiator support

    back in, slowly but surely replacing all the bolts with stainless allen head fasteners. When you build a car, it's all the small details together that make the overall car. Now i need to clean up and paint that latch assembly.


    most of the harness is back in, i need to finish up part of it yet, this is mostly fuse box wiring.


  8. #8


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    Re: a little work on the radiator support

    You can get the rubber seal, with clips included, from Majestic. In fact, I just ordered one because I am going to have to replace the radiator again soon. Much easier not to have to worry about those clips that always break.

  9. #9
    LX User Xaisk's Avatar
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    Re: a little work on the radiator support

    Thats a great job. I need to get that rubber piece too. Mine isnt ripped but the bottom where the clips go in are also ripped in the exact same way as yours. I like the paint, looks great.

    My question is.. how did you make your overflow canister have a gas cap on it? Thats actually pretty neat.

  10. #10
    3Geez Veteran lostforawhile's Avatar
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    Re: a little work on the radiator support

    Quote Originally Posted by DBMaster View Post
    You can get the rubber seal, with clips included, from Majestic. In fact, I just ordered one because I am going to have to replace the radiator again soon. Much easier not to have to worry about those clips that always break.
    when i can get one i'll have to make a tool to remove the clips without causing damage, then if i have to remove something on the front, i can reuse it, the rubber on the original seal is still good after 25 years
    Last edited by lostforawhile; 12-02-2010 at 08:21 PM.

  11. #11
    3Geez Veteran lostforawhile's Avatar
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    Re: a little work on the radiator support

    Quote Originally Posted by Xaisk View Post
    Thats a great job. I need to get that rubber piece too. Mine isnt ripped but the bottom where the clips go in are also ripped in the exact same way as yours. I like the paint, looks great.

    My question is.. how did you make your overflow canister have a gas cap on it? Thats actually pretty neat.
    i made the entire canister from scratch, i'll have to find the thread

  12. #12
    3Geez Veteran lostforawhile's Avatar
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    Re: a little work on the radiator support

    Last edited by lostforawhile; 12-02-2010 at 09:55 PM.

  13. #13
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    a little work on the radiator support

    I like the idea. Altough its often hard to make a Good mod from it. Especially when you want it to look real. Making little stones and so on.

    Im curious where this one will end Good luck

  14. #14
    3Geez Veteran lostforawhile's Avatar
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    Re: a little work on the radiator support

    Quote Originally Posted by Mak_ABNOKY View Post
    I like the idea. Altough its often hard to make a Good mod from it. Especially when you want it to look real. Making little stones and so on.

    Im curious where this one will end Good luck

  15. #15
    LX User 1813mdw's Avatar
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    Re: a little work on the radiator support

    Quote Originally Posted by lostforawhile View Post
    anyone know where to get a replacement piece that goes on that upper support? the rubber seal? the seal doesn't look bad but those little clips have torn out the bottom side of it. I guess I could just mask the area it goes and use some sort of adhesive.

    after reading this thread i've decided to start something sim. i'll start on the wire tuck and when i get my new motor i'll paint while the old ones out. i remember jcwhitney sellin "universal" weather stripping that we could use w/ adhesive. if going through this much effort we should replace every thing possible i think. just an idea

  16. #16
    3Geez Veteran lostforawhile's Avatar
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    Re: a little work on the radiator support

    Quote Originally Posted by 1813mdw View Post
    after reading this thread i've decided to start something sim. i'll start on the wire tuck and when i get my new motor i'll paint while the old ones out. i remember jcwhitney sellin "universal" weather stripping that we could use w/ adhesive. if going through this much effort we should replace every thing possible i think. just an idea
    you can paint it with the engine in, it just takes a lot longer, as you can see, one section at a time. i'm held up trying to find a piece of 6 gauge copper wire to go from the new alternator location to the lug on the starter. here's the electrical thread where i'm cleaning up the harness, this is just a sub project of that https://www.3geez.com/forum/showthread.php?t=72345
    Last edited by lostforawhile; 12-09-2010 at 07:04 PM.

  17. #17
    LX User 1813mdw's Avatar
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    Re: a little work on the radiator support

    Quote Originally Posted by lostforawhile View Post
    you can paint it with the engine in, it just takes a lot longer, as you can see, one section at a time. i'm held up trying to find a piece of 6 gauge copper wire to go from the new alternator location to the lug on the starter. here's the electrical thread where i'm cleaning up the harness, this is just a sub project of that https://www.3geez.com/forum/showthread.php?t=72345
    awseome work, man. i think i might wait til i go obd1 to really dig into mine so i have all those damned vac lines out. they're a real clusterfuk

  18. #18
    LX User 1813mdw's Avatar
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    Re: a little work on the radiator support

    Quote Originally Posted by Mak_ABNOKY View Post
    I like the idea. Altough its often hard to make a Good mod from it. Especially when you want it to look real. Making little stones and so on.

    Im curious where this one will end Good luck
    drugs are bad, buddy

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