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Guys running Champion Radiators...Top Bracket Mount/Not Fitting, Help?

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Old 09-14-2011, 10:11 PM
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Guys running Champion Radiators...Top Bracket Mount/Not Fitting, Help?

Went through the sticky, maybe I missed it... I dunno.

I did my research on this thing, bought it, installed it and I'm trying to keep my stock fans/oem mounting brackets. I already grinded down my rubber isolators/grommets for the top and the bottom of the radiator.

The radiator just seems to thick, at the very top when puting the stock top bracket back on...there is just not enough room to make it to the bolt holes. The far right seems OK but if you look at the bracket, its skinnier/thinner on one side which is why only one side is clearing and making it to the bolt holes.

Anyone else run into this problem? Im including some pics so everyone can see the issue I'm running into. I don't really wanna start drilling...

Steve0


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Old 09-14-2011, 11:06 PM
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Re: Guys running Champion Radiators...Top Bracket Mount/Not Fitting, Help?

well I dont have this exact radiator but the radiator i have didnt fit right I took some flat steel and made my own mounting brackets to hold the radiator on the sides, then cut the stock plastic piece to fill in the gap area between those two brackets. worked great.
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Old 09-15-2011, 02:56 AM
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Re: Guys running Champion Radiators...Top Bracket Mount/Not Fitting, Help?

Wichita one is that radiator?
Old 09-15-2011, 06:55 AM
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Re: Guys running Champion Radiators...Top Bracket Mount/Not Fitting, Help?

3 Row, Model CC951 82-92 "bolt in" lol
Old 09-15-2011, 12:28 PM
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Re: Guys running Champion Radiators...Top Bracket Mount/Not Fitting, Help?

There's your problem I think the most you could fit under there is a 2 row.
Old 09-15-2011, 01:15 PM
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Re: Guys running Champion Radiators...Top Bracket Mount/Not Fitting, Help?

IIRC,
Twin-Turbo IROC
Made analuminum upper, & has a link to the dimensions,
so if you want you can take the aluminum to a metal shop for the bending, etc.

Look thru the thread
" So you want a direct fit aluminum 3 core radiator " or something like that.
Old 09-15-2011, 02:00 PM
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Re: Guys running Champion Radiators...Top Bracket Mount/Not Fitting, Help?

i've seen a picture where a guy cut the ends off of the plastic, that seemed to work.
your is CLOSE. i'd look at grinding down the rubber more or put your own rubber on the bottom.
hope that helps.
Matt-
Old 09-15-2011, 03:40 PM
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Axle/Gears: 9 Bolt, 3.45
Re: Guys running Champion Radiators...Top Bracket Mount/Not Fitting, Help?

Originally Posted by t-top havoc
IIRC,
Twin-Turbo IROC
Made analuminum upper, & has a link to the dimensions,
so if you want you can take the aluminum to a metal shop for the bending, etc.

Look thru the thread
" So you want a direct fit aluminum 3 core radiator " or something like that.
Dang I must've over-looked that,,,I figured the stocker would bolt right on
Old 09-15-2011, 06:49 PM
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Re: Guys running Champion Radiators...Top Bracket Mount/Not Fitting, Help?

If you don't find it before I do, I'll pass the info to you tomorrow sometime.
I most always use my iPhone, so it takes a while for me to search things.

Ppl have been modding the rubber mounts by cutting them down, if not completely removing them then using bicycle innertube pieces in place of the factory rubber mounts. Factory pieces are too big.
Flightoficarus got the 2 row & had to do some mods to his mounts.
His info is in the
" So you guys want a direct fit 3 row aluminum radiator " thread.
Maybe it's called
" So you guys want a bolt in 3 row aluminum radiator "
I can't remember exactly the title.
Old 09-15-2011, 07:49 PM
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Re: Guys running Champion Radiators...Top Bracket Mount/Not Fitting, Help?

Here is what I found---

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/cool...guys-want.html
post #s--
7, 208, 263, 271, 280

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/memb...my-87-a-9.html
post #--
410

***Apologies to Twin_Tubo!! I didn't get your name right in previous post!!***

( edit )
The last link--- browse thru it to see the awsome work!!
Also, the pics ot the upper mount from diff angles!

Last edited by t-top havoc; 09-15-2011 at 07:52 PM. Reason: Browse
Old 09-15-2011, 09:26 PM
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Axle/Gears: 9 Bolt, 3.45
Re: Guys running Champion Radiators...Top Bracket Mount/Not Fitting, Help?

thanks for your help, Ill go through it and see what I can do. That last car is pretty trick

Steve0
Old 09-15-2011, 11:14 PM
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Axle/Gears: 9 Bolt, 3.45
Re: Guys running Champion Radiators...Top Bracket Mount/Not Fitting, Help?

Nobody said that the 3 row wouldnt fit, some people had good luck getting the stock top mounting bracket to work and claimed it was just snug...as you can see from my pics the radiator is against the frame and it still wont reach the bolt holes..grrrrr..I can drill holes and make it sorta fit, but still the darn stock fans are so far against the radiator they are smacking into it when I spin them...eek.

I wouldn't mind ditching the oem fans and getting an aftermarket set (single or dual) to increase cooling (no idea what to get), and the top bracket on the turbos car looks awesome but I don't have the option to make crazy stuff out of sheetmetal.
Old 09-15-2011, 11:40 PM
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Re: Guys running Champion Radiators...Top Bracket Mount/Not Fitting, Help?

I haven't any idea.

Measure the thickness where it hits.
How much rubber is left on the mounts?
Old 09-16-2011, 12:01 AM
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Transmission: Transgo'd 700R w/Yank 2800
Axle/Gears: 9 Bolt, 3.45
Re: Guys running Champion Radiators...Top Bracket Mount/Not Fitting, Help?

Originally Posted by t-top havoc
I haven't any idea.

Measure the thickness where it hits.
How much rubber is left on the mounts?
the mounts arent the issue, up and down is fine since they are sanded down to almost nothing. Whats happening is the radiator is too thick front-to-back wise at the top, so the mounting bracket no longer reaches. The rubber isolaters aren't an issue anymore
Old 09-17-2011, 12:03 AM
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Re: Guys running Champion Radiators...Top Bracket Mount/Not Fitting, Help?

Just realized Turbos radiator is not a Champion...its a Summit. So even if I have his design made it still might not fit, we need to compare dimensions Oh boy.
Old 09-17-2011, 01:03 AM
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Re: Guys running Champion Radiators...Top Bracket Mount/Not Fitting, Help?

make the holes in the plastic a little bit larger and add a washer.
Old 09-17-2011, 01:18 AM
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Axle/Gears: 9 Bolt, 3.45
Re: Guys running Champion Radiators...Top Bracket Mount/Not Fitting, Help?

Yes that is an option for rigging it... It's funny because my old man said the same thing watching me trying to get it to fit. lol
Old 09-17-2011, 01:28 AM
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Re: Guys running Champion Radiators...Top Bracket Mount/Not Fitting, Help?

i guess it's "rigging it", to me it's only "rigged" if you plan on keeping it that way. I prefer the term, temporary fix. May need to get some brackets bent out. Be much nicer to see the top of that all aluminum radiator anyways.
I'm installing mine tomorrow (same champion 3 row) and I personally don't even think it would be noticeable if you enlarged the holes and used some washers.
Anyways- until you can get something nicer, i think it will hold up fine.
Old 09-17-2011, 01:34 AM
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Engine: HSR B2L 350ci w/LT4 hotcam and AFR 195's
Transmission: Transgo'd 700R w/Yank 2800
Axle/Gears: 9 Bolt, 3.45
Re: Guys running Champion Radiators...Top Bracket Mount/Not Fitting, Help?

Are you talking washers for the stock fan bracket to extend them out? The actual fans when mounted rub against the radiator.
Old 09-17-2011, 02:34 AM
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Re: Guys running Champion Radiators...Top Bracket Mount/Not Fitting, Help?

i misinterpreted your problem. If the fans are rubbing, i would definitely use something to place them away from the radiator... proportionately.
I assumed your problem was the inability to secure your radiator plastic because the holes would not line up.
I guess i'll know more of this problem tomorrow. I will be trying to keep my stock fans as well.
Matt-
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