The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Tons 'o Fun Radiator Core Support

Hello all, I'm working on a 1950 3800 long bed. I've a question regarding radiator core support. Which mount did they use, the two close together inline in the center, or the two wider ones on either side of the support? Thanks in advance...Clint

I’ve tried attaching a photo of the bottom of the rad support from a 53 1 ton
To my knowledge all my one tons from 50-53 rad supports attach in the center with two bolts

Clint,
If your in a bind, I can go out and take a picture of mine installed.
Jim

Not in a bind currently, photos would be appreciated, but only at your convenience. Thanks in advance..Clint

Clint,
On my 1950 3800 Chevy, the radiator support has the mounting at the center with the two bolts like in the picture shown above. Don't know if that was just a 1 ton thing or not.
Tom

The 54, 3800 I had for a parts truck mounted the same way. My 3600 mounts with 2 bolts on the side.

For what it's worth, my '51 3100 used the two mount system. It looks like the crossmembers were shared with 3100 thru 3800 at least, as my front crossmember had holes for both the single center and two side mounts. So I guess you could use either radiator mount system.

I'm working on my 47 3600 and I found my radiator support is like the one 2manytrucks posted a picture of. Mine is beat to death though, the center bracket is broken, and the front cross member is worn from pounding loose. My truck cross member does not have the two holes farther apart, just the two in the center. I thought about getting a new radiator support bracket, but all the vendors show a two-hole mounting, not the center mounting like mine. I suppose I could get a new radiator support bracket and drill my cross-member frame and be good to go. I also thought about fixing mine and mounting it at the two side bolt holes on some rubber pads as I would not have the brackets that the new ones have. It seems that all the weight of the front-end rests on the center radiator support, both inner fenders and outer fenders along with the radiator and grill. It is obvious why my inner fender was rubbing my steering box, with my mounting is such poor shape. Maybe I should put metal shims instead of rubber between the support and the cross member? Any thoughts on the mounting if I use the original support frame? The center bracket is not usable as it is.

lumbersawyer, My original radiator support was beat to death as well, mainly because the front cab mounts had rusted away, putting a lot of weight on the radiator support. It had been reinforced with some 1/2" thick steel welded inside the bottom and about 6" up each side, and weighed about as much as the USS Missouri. I was able to score a replacement (used) from Jim Carter when I went by there back in 2019. They had quite a few of them, and may have one that matches yours. There was also a place in Albert Lea MN that advertised AD parts on eBay (can't remember their name or find them right now), but you might be able to find a used replacement the matches at a wrecking yard.
But you might be better off with the newer style with two mounting positions. The dimensions for the holes are in the Factory Assembly Manual.