[Mr69]

Are there more than one variation of the 1969 Chevelle radiator support?

Is there a Big Block version? Wider at the bottom? Bigger radiator opening? Wider radiator cradle?

I've always been under the impression that there is only 1 version of the 1969 Chevelle radiator support.
Whether it's a 6 cyl car or an SS. 2 row or 4 row radiator.

But I hear tell of a Big Block version??? What would the difference be?

 

[tunes]

I don't know this for a fact, but the opening for a big block radiator support is wider than for a six cylinder. You can cut the opening to the larger size if you have the wrong support.

 

[Dean]

Some have 4 top plate bolts and some only have 3 bolts.

 

[136679ss]

Some have 4 top plate bolts and some only have 3 bolts.

this is true for the top plate, but the support itself is drilled to accomodate either type. relax, marketing gimmick; AIM shows 1 only.

 

[von]

What you call the "big block" radiator also went on all non-BB AC cars and non-BB cars with HD cooling. Support had the 4 bolt top plate. I don't know if the support is different though. AC cars have some extra holes in the support for condenser lines.

 

[69ssmike]

Didn't the bottom of the support have a slight kickout to fit the H/D radiator???

 

[136679ss]

Didn't the bottom of the support have a slight kickout to fit the H/D radiator???

Nope, went from a 3 row to a 4 row in my 69 and didnt make a difference. the rubber pads were different for each type of rad I believe back then though.

 

[Keith Tedford]

We just put an old big block rad support in our '69 el Camino. The only difference seems to be the opening size. The line is embossed in the standard unit and it is easy to lay out and cut with a jig saw then file smooth. We've done that too in the past. I'm guessing that they just put the standard rad support in a press and punched out the extra metal to make the big block unit. They used to do it with the trucks not all that many years ago. In the bottom of the rad support are the guides to locate the insulating rubbers that hold the rad whether big or small.

 

[shep_77]

The 6 cylinder support has part of the opening blocked off and the one that I have only has the nuts welded on the back for a three hole top plate, it came from a non AC car and also does not have the AC condenser holes. The support it replaced is in a smallblock AC car it had the wider opening for the radiator and a 4 hole top plate and the condenser holes for the AC.

 

[Mr69]

Does anyone have any measurements of the opening? Big or small?

 

[vrooom3440]

I did a replacement on my '68 and converted from SB to BB core support. They have a lot in common with holes for both applications already there in each. But the BB did have a larger radiator pass-thru hole (elongated on the DS) and weld nuts on the 4 bolt top plate holes rather than the 3 bolt holes. The BB pass-thru is about 28" wide and I think the SB was about 5" narrower. Holes and such are present for SB or BB radiators in both versions.