The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop core support reinforcing rods?

What is the story on the reinforcing rods welded on to the radiator core support? On some trucks they look stock, others dont have them. Were they added in a particular year? factory?

My 52 3100 had an "X" of diagonal rods (now broken off) and one horizontal rod near the bottom.

Mine in 1950 did too. Same system. It's 3/8 rod and available at any good hardware store. I put them back since the PO had cut them out for some reason. I do not know the answer to your question, other than in my opinion, there is no argument for lessening the structural integrity of the core support system.

The 'some reason' usually has to do with putting a new style 235 in, and the radiator needed to be slid inside the supports channel. Hope this helps!

I had to cut mine out to fit a Big Bolt radiator (thicker toward the front) in my '49 3100. I read somewhere that the X-rods where used to prevent stress on the radiator from extreme flexing caused by cab/front clip movement. Since I don't plan on driving mine across hand dug ditches all day long on the farm anymore, I'll be alright.
Carl

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

From a structural standpoint I would think they're needed, considering the whole front sheet metal rides on the Rad support.

They may also just have been there for the purpose of assembly at the factory. The upper and lower support are 2 different pieces welded together, they mave kept everything square until the sheet metal is all buttoned up.

On the other hand, I recently just read the instructions from Vintage Air, they say to cut them out when installing the condensor assembly.

I guess I didn't really help, so if you want to cut them out, I would think it's ok. If you want to weld them back in, well, that's ok also.

Sounds like every year had the rods stock. The repop core supports dont come with them.
If anyone has replaced them, any tips on flattening and welding the ends of 3/8 rod?

I bought an NOS radiator support, no x brace, at the ATHS Nationals. I will add an x because it just makes sense.

I cut mine out when I installed my Vintage-air. I don't like the idea but it is nessesary for the condenser to fit.

I believe the blanket statement that all are cross-braced is inaccurate? I own an original owner family 3600, it does not nor did it ever have them. On the 32 trucks/cabs I have owned at least two of the 2-tons I parted did not. On Those that have it is easy to see if they have been removed because an inch or two always remains on the shroud. On GMC's they have a completely different design with a lower plate that spans both sides. Perhaps some of you can confirm if your truck actually came with them or not? I have a strong hunch that in many AD years this may have been a 3100 item.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/8129073652/in/set-72157631867396207
Here is a 52 3600, again original owner family with no rods or evidence of removal.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/15217401634/in/set-72157631870734114

Well, let me add to fire....the rods on my 52 panel were bolted in when I got the panel and it looked original. Mmmmm.

48, 50, 53 3100 is all the experience I have. They all had them.

I got some 3/8" rod from the hardware store, measured them two inches longer than the outside measurement, marked an inch on each end to flatten. Pulled out the oxyacet torch with rosebud and heated them up really hot, then did the ole hammer and anvil trick. They look just like factory.

If you have no torch, get a piece of 3/16 or so flat stock, cut out the size they need to be and a 3/8" notch to set them in, then weld them up. You can make that look factory too.

Thinking about it, I wonder if any AD with a large radiator had them? Here is a very important point... IF you have the top cap on the radiator support, it would be awful darn hard to distort that cage. Where you are SOL is when you take those cross braces off and the top cap as well. Then, there isn't much holding your front end on the truck.