I'd put up an argument to cutting them out. The core support is
a rectangle and with out bracing is very easily racked since it
is the single support for the entire front portion of the front
clip. Without the braces the brass radiator with it's solder
joints has to act as the bracing. Why are they missing? Probably
one end broke loose from fatigue and rather than re-weld it
they simply broke off the other weld so it wasn't rattling
around up front.
dg

Denny G
Sandwich, IL