Hood clearance [Archive] - Chevelle Tech

: Hood clearance


JimN
Mar 3rd, 02, 8:50 PM
I tried this in some of the other forums and haven't received a reply, so I will try posting it here:
I have a 65 chevelle with factory air and 283 engine (changed to a 350 crate) I had to relocate my stock radiator about 4" forward to accomodate a serpentine belt system. I did this by removing the metal spacer between the radiator support and the radiator. My radiator now sits about 3/4" above the support on the outside edges and is bolted directly to the support. My hood is removed for the engine swap so I don't know if the clearance between the radiator and hood will be enough. I think the 65 big blocks had the radiator mounted directly to the support as did the 66 small blocks, but I am not sure. Does anyone out there know how much clearance there is between the hood and the support at the outside edges of the radiator, or does anyone have a set up like mine and can you check the clearances? Thanks. I would hate to have the whole thing together and then not be able to close the hood!

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65 Danube Blue MALIBU 4 door wagon, 350/330hp crate with 700R4, Factory air, Factory am/fm stereo.

wes migletz
Mar 4th, 02, 7:05 PM
Jim, I'm in the middle of a swap to a BB. I installed a 4 core spec'd for a '65 after removing the spacer. I re-used the spacer's holes in the core supprt for my top bolts. Mine also sticks above, but I'm not sure how much off of the top of my head, but it looked like it would clear the hood when we were aligning it. Does yor radiator sit higher than the two hood stops?

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Wes
'65 Chevelle Conv
'63 Nova SS Conv
'62 Nova Conv

JimN
Mar 4th, 02, 10:43 PM
When I used the spacer's bolt holes in the radiator support, the radiator was about 1 1/2 inches above the support, so I drilled holes in the radiator mounting bracket and notched the bottom edges of the bracket to drop the radiator to about 1/2" higher than the radiator support at the center. I think the outside edges of the radiator are about 1/2" higher than the hood stops. Is this clearance ok? Is your radiator higher than this?

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65 Danube Blue MALIBU 4 door wagon, 350/330hp crate with 700R4, Factory air, Factory am/fm stereo.

wes migletz
Mar 6th, 02, 2:33 PM
Jim, I'll measure mine after work tonight and let you know tomorrow.

Wes

JimN
Mar 6th, 02, 4:03 PM
Thank you very much.

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65 Danube Blue MALIBU 4 door wagon, 350/330hp crate with 700R4, Factory air, Factory am/fm stereo.

wes migletz
Mar 8th, 02, 10:59 AM
Jim, my radiator ('65 4 core purchased from a repro shop) is mounted using the top holes that the spacer mounted to. The bottom holes do not line up. The top is about 1/2" above the core support. This is without the radiator cap on. Right now it is about even with the hood stops. It looks like I may have to lower it a little to put the hood on. On my car, I have room to adjust down as necessary, but I'm hoping I don't have to.HTH

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Wes
'65 Chevelle Conv
'63 Nova SS Conv
'62 Nova Conv

BIGMOE65
Mar 8th, 02, 2:32 PM
I removed the spacer on my 65, I used the exsisting holes in the core supprt and my hood clears fine. My radiator is the original one also. If you need any measurements just ask. I cant tell you exactly how much hood clearance because my hood is off right now but I can measure from the top of the core support to the top of the radiator. Hey Wes I work in woodland hills on Desoto St.

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1965 El Camino
350-turbo 350
"someday it will be finished"

WayneK
Mar 9th, 02, 8:11 PM
Both my 65 Elcy and 64 conv have 4 core rad from the Muscle Factory. If you bolt them in to the rad support with out drilling new holes, It will sit to high. If you use the spacer no problem. If i remember corectly
the spacer loweres the rad 1.1/8 in.

Wayne