Top Rad Seals, how do they fit??

[CrissCross]

All,

Looking for some help here on my 80 vette.

A while back I replaced my rad (3 to 4 row) and setup my air ducting for the air cleaner with help from this forum.

Well, I took a bit of a shortcut and just used the side rad seals between the rad/rad support frame.

I now have some time and decided to go back and finish the job properly.

I have 2 foam pieces, one longer than the other, which I have been told go on the top L and R between the rad and support.

I cannot get them to fit!? The only room I have is between the U mount bracket that holds the rad and the Center Air duct. The foam pieces are just way too long. (I purchased the Zip Rad Seal HD package for 4 row rads)

Can anyone take a dig pic or show me where I am going wrong??

I am assumming that the seal must be clear of the U Bracket to allow for easy removal, and that the center duct shouldn't sit on top of the foam (tried this but the foam is too thick)

Looking forward to some help, sorry about the long rant!

CC

 

[Doc Rebuild]

Sir,

A couple of questions. Didn’t the parts you bought come with any instructions regarding the positions? Post a picture and I’ll give you my suggestions. Are you sure the reproduction parts that you received are actually like those originally used on a real Corvette? Did you get any instructions on how the pieces are attached?

Geoffrey Coenen
NCRS #2473
NCM Lifetime #105
Precision Valley Corvette Museum Charter Member #20 (I think)
Vettehead #18-1
Retired #1 56, 63, 67, 68, 68, 69, 75, 99 and I want more!

 

[CrissCross]

Geoffrey,

I was supplied a very brief assembly diagram showing just the rad support and the 4 seals. The 2 top pieces are 6 and 5 inches long, but I can't get them to fit between the u brackets and center air duct as the assembly diagram would suggest.


I am out of luck as far as a comparison to the old seals. When I bought it, none of the seals where there and the entire air cleaner/ducting was gone.

Any advice is appreciated.

Regards,
CC

 

[Doc Rebuild]

Sirs,
Post a digital picture of those instructions and I'll try to help. Or mail me a copy at DRCP, PO Box 6263, Bpt, CT 06606.

Note I do not accept email with attachments.

You may have a bogus illustration and bogus parts. There are many of both in circulation and represented as authentic.

Geoffrey Coenen
NCRS #2473
NCM Lifetime #105
Precision Valley Corvette Museum Charter Member #20 (I think)
Vettehead #18-1
Retired #1 56, 63, 67, 68, 68, 69, 75, 99 and I want more!

 

[CrissCross]

Here's what I was given....

Here's hoping the instructions are bad and not the parts.

 

[Doc Rebuild]

Sir,

Is that really the actual illustration included with the items you purchased? To be honest it is pretty shabby looking. It actually looks like it was photocopied and photocopied and photocopied over and over from a GM Assembly Instruction Manual, i.e. AIM . Those AIM drawings are often generic with the same illustration regardless of what radiator is present.

I suggest you contact the seller and request technical assistance. If they sell it and claim to make it, I would expect they would be able to advise you how these parts are installed. Perhaps they could verify that the parts actually match the design and size of those used on real Corvettes. Maybe they can email you a copy of the GM blueprint dimensions and you could check the product against that reference.

Geoffrey Coenen
NCRS #2473
NCM Lifetime #105
Precision Valley Corvette Museum Charter Member #20 (I think)
Vettehead #18-1
Retired #1 56, 63, 67, 68, 68, 69, 75, 99 and I want more!

 

[billybob]

CrissCross,

I would agree with Doc that its from the AIM (13E in my copy). As the images are generic in nature they should be used as guidance not verbatim.

Also you can pretty much guarentee that finding an exact replacement is going to be hard if not impossible. A repro shop would have to to access to the original specs etc to make it.

I would call up the place you purchased the product from, they should support what they sell. They are probably going to tell you that its normal etc etc.

Now being a little long would be ok, as you could try and compress them a little as you stick them down, that about all the support I can give. Perhaps someone that has run into a problem similar to your can chim in with some answers.

Bill

 

[silver 80]

The Doc probably has what you need they have a very good cat and their product is real good.
tom

 

[CrissCross]

Thanks for all the advice.

Finally got a hold of the seller and they just told me to cut the top seals length to fit.

All taken care of.

CC

 

[Doc Rebuild]

Sir,

Sounds like you too have been sold another Blem Product. You are not alone in that regard. Cut it to fit? You cannot be serious, can you? Did they actually tell you to cut the part if it was too long? What is this: “One size fits all, but if it doesn’t just cut it”? I suppose if it was too short, you could have added something on.

Regardless if you changed radiators, the length of the seals you described as not fitting would not be effected. Perhaps the thickness may vary, but certainly not the length. You are yet another that has now learned about their accuracy and technical support. Sounds like a sham to me. I’ll bet you though you were getting something special; something specifically reproduced for your Corvette. However, it does not surprise me in the least. I have know about this for years, and it only confirmed further when someone like you writes about it on the net. When I make a similar claim, many think I’m just making it up.

Did you get the “tech’s” name who told you to cut it?

Geoffrey Coenen
NCRS #2473
NCM Lifetime #105
Precision Valley Corvette Museum Charter Member #20 (I think)
Vettehead #18-1
Retired #1 56, 63, 67, 68, 68, 69, 75, 99 and I want more!

PS Sometimes you get your moneys worth and sometimes you get a Blem Product for the same price as the real deal.

 

[80convertible]

If in the future you have problems with your seals, go to Home Depot or Lowes and get pipe wrap for about $3.00. Fits perfectly as a seal on the sides and top and is easy to install and replace as necessary. I had to use this because of mods to my car but have never had an overheat...even in the dead of summer at idle. I never plan to buy the factory style seals again.