Big Block Radiator Hold-Downs

[JoeR Jr]

What radiator hold downs is everyone using when they swap a big block radiator into their C10?
After adding AC to my truck my stock radiator wasn't doing the job. I added the Big Block radiator from an 85 C10 and installed a set of electric fans from a Windstar. I fabbed up a set of mounts for the fans but I'd like to use the factory hold-downs for the radiator.
GM doesn't make them any more.
Every scrap yard near me doesn't have them.
I can't find an aftermarket source for them, but there must be one. I see a bunch of folks running them, and I'm pretty sure the trucks weren't all born with them.
Can someone please point me in the right direction?
Thx,
Joo

 

[yevgenievich]

I extended a set of factory mounts when doing install on my old suburban

 

[nvrenuf]

As far as I know, now one makes reproduction brackets. Used is likely your best option.

 

[disenough]

I welded 2 sets of small block hold downs together and a 1/4 inch spacer underneath them.

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[JoeR Jr]

As far as I know, now one makes reproduction brackets. Used is likely your best option.

That's crummy. Thanks though.

I welded 2 sets of small block hold downs together and a 1/4 inch spacer underneath them.

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Perfect! That's totally do-able. I know where to find a set of those, I think.
Joe

 

[disenough]

I did use new rubber pads for a big block radiator.
I know you didn't use your shroud but just to help
others I used the small block shroud with a little trimming .

 

[JoeR Jr]

Today I ordered a set of 350 hold downs from LMC. I'll stretch them to fit when they arrive. I also ordered the correct rubbers for the big block radiator.
Joe

 

[PrairieDrifter]

Brothers truck has the one piece hold down I believe, I would prefer that anyways.

 

[yevgenievich]

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These were extended with some flat stock that I had

 

[bucket]

My big block trucks have all had one big upper panel that retains the radiator, rather than the two little individual mounts used on the small block trucks with smaller radiator. And I believe the two individual mounts were only used in the '81-up trucks.

 

[Craig 85]

LMC shows the upper radiator support panel available for 81-84 454 trucks #32-0988. The new catalog also now has them for 75-80 454 trucks #32-0984.

https://www.lmctruck.com/1973-91-chevy-gmc/csb-1973-91-radiator-components

 

[Bextreme04]

#32-0984 is what my 80 K25 350/400/205 with A/C came with from the factory. It is the large 4-core radiator and has the solid bracket across the top as shown in that LMC diagram.

 

[Catbox]

My big block has the large retainer across the top of the radiator.
As seen below...

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[nvrenuf]

It’s a year model thing, as stated ‘81+.

I’ve got a CUCV radiator set up on my ‘91 Blazer, 2 small brackets with a plastic cover that goes between them.

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[Paladin]

One big plate as Bucket said.

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