The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Radiator support help for my 1937 Chevy GC

Don’t really see a category area for my question, so I’ll go here and move if needed. ‘37 radiator has a remnant of welded support horizontal brace across below center height of the U shape. Was there one at the top as well? What do they look like? Does anyone have a picture of theirs? Although the doghouse is different, maybe the '38 may be the same?

Larry - I added a little detail to your title to focus a little more attention to it for those with late 30's trucks and experience. If possible, can you take and post pictures of your radiator and existing support structure? It may help folks better understand your question and provide the best answers or help.

On that note, have you looked at any Master Parts Books for exploded diagrams to see if yours differs from the designs in the books? I'd be glad to try and research to help if I can.

If by "U" shape you're referring to the core support, there was likely a horizontal bar across about center. The top would have a welded support as well as the upper radiator baffle. I say likely because I have a 38 car but the construction is probably similar. Attached is a photo of my 38 if that helps.

Yes Tiny, the horseshoe shaped radiator support is what I was referring to, and your picture confirms that there was originally a rod support going across from side to side. I fabricated a temporary one out of a curtain rod just for placement, but approximately what is the diameter and the heft of the one in your 38?
The question remaining is; was there a second one at the top? It appears that there were old spot welds, and a weld blob at the top of my support per the picture or was there something else up there? Dan, I have the master parts catalog ‘29-49 and don’t see any pictures regarding the radiator support for any of the years. It certainly could be documented in a breakdown of some other publication, but not the one I have. Thanks for all the help.

Mine only had the rod across the middle, it wasn't an actual rod, but a rolled piece of flat steel with the ends being left flat. I will look around and see if I still have it.

Larry - Perhaps this video from Jim Carter on the installing a '37 grille into an NOS grille shell/radiator support structure will help answer your question. It looks like only the one cross support from what I saw watching the video.

Larry, send me a PM, I found the one I took off my truck. My radiator and A/C are to far forward to use it.

thanks Dan for the video. i think that answers it. I wonder why there are 4 evenly spaced spot weld indents on each side at the top...mystery but not the first on this old girl. looks like "snapping" in that grill will be a lot easier with the doghouse off. Just have to save up my pennies to get one. They cost 1/3 of what I paid for the rode hard old girl to start with now. you are on Joe.

A thing of beauty (in the eye of the discerning eye) lol had a few questions about radiator support a while back, got a reply and the part, and wanted to show off and thank Joe. It doesn’t seem to let you add a picture to PM.