Problem moveing V8 radiator to 6 Cyl position.

Any one else have a hood clearance problem on a 57 Chevy? I moved my V8 radiator to the 6 cyl position. Bought all the hoses and brackets and shroud. Before I slammed the hood, I thought I would check to see if it closed OK. It did not. I put some chalking compound on the radiator cap. It mashed it flat. I have the radiator as far down as it will go. The upper neck is on top of the support bar. I called Danchuck tech support. He said some 57s had a clearance problem. He suggested to cut the support bar. I told him this is what holds the front end together and I didn't want to cut it. He said he wouldn't cut his either. If any one has had this problem, what did you do to fix it?
http://www.trifivechevys.com/attachm...5&d=1404862084
http://www.trifivechevys.com/attachm...4&d=1404862048

On a 57 you need a 57 6 cylinder type radiator to cure all the problems you have.

It's not as hard on a 55-56, as the hood is higher, and the cutout for the radiator hose lines up.

Too bad you had to learn the hard way.

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Too bad you had to learn the hard way.

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Thanks Rick. But from every thing I've read the V8 radiator is supposed to work. Is the tank on the 6 cyl. radiator shorter?

Not sure about the tank/pressure cap neck, but they did something to make it clear.

The top inlet is much different.

Yes, I know the top inlet neck is on the drivers side on the 6 cyl radiator. I didn't know how that would let it go lower. It has to be a shorter tank too.

The inlet neck location just puts it in position to line up with the notch in the hood baffle.

It has a bend in it, which might be a hint that the entire tank is lower. But I don't know the details.

What is hitting your radiator cap presently? Seems like the cap would be forward of the baffle and the two wouldn't interfere. That's the situation on a 55-56.

The radiator cap is hitting the hood skin. It's about 4 inches forward of the baffle.

Ugh.

Sounds like you need a 6-cylinder radiator. I don't think this is a problem on a 55-56, at least I've never heard of it. Come to think of it I've never heard of it being a problem on a 57. Is the radiator as low as it can go? You could notch the radiator support to lower it if you have room.

1957 6 cyl only radiator moves cap further to pass side and inlet is moved towards drivers side, yours won't fit.(as you found out)Attachment 3247

Look for the date on the tank, Is it a 55 or 56 radiator?

The difference may be in the inlet tube position not the cap. As you know the 57 only core support top bar is curved, raised in the center area, lower at the ends. With the top tube moved off to the driver side this will allow the radiator to sit lower on the core support. Your radiator with the top tube in the center must rest on the highest part of your core support thereby raising it relatively speaking.

Thanks for the replies Maddog and Chevynut. The radiator is as low as it can go. The upper neck is resting on the core support. I think notching the core support would weaken the front end too much. I don't have a date code. It is a U.S. Radiator for a 1957 V8. I put a straight edge across the core support. There is only about 3/8 of an inch difference at the center of the curve on the core support.

Take a look here. http://www.trifive.com/garage/57%20C...anual/13-2.gif

I'm betting the 57 6 cylinder radiator mounts lower than the others. Notice the curved inlet neck. I'm betting the hose end of that inlet is in the same position as the radiator you have - which means the top of the tank is lower.

You are right Rick. But I have not seen one that you can buy that has the neck coming out of the top like that.
http://www.trifivechevys.com/attachm...8&d=1404953949

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Originally Posted by 5Clint7

You are right Rick. But I have not seen one that you can buy that has the neck coming out of the top like that.
http://www.trifivechevys.com/attachm...8&d=1404953949

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That drawing is somewhat exaggerated. They come out like that but not as drastically as the pic shows. You need a new radiator young man. Look at the pic I provided that's how they really look.

I think Maddog is right on this one. Part of the clearance comes from the inlet and cap not being centered, and there's a fairly big crown on the tank's top. You can see it in the photo.

I went to U.S. Radiator and got the pic for the V8 and 6 cyl. I superimposed one over the other. It looks like the 6 cyl neck is about ½ higher in the tank than the V8. Also it looks like the auto trans bottom tank is deeper than the standard. Hope you can tell from the pic what I'm talking about.
http://www.trifivechevys.com/attachm...9&d=1404959364

Uh yea, you need a different radiator:(

Hey 5Clint7, I've been reading this post as I have the same problem with a radiator I mounted on 6 cyl side of support bar and hitting the underside of my hood. Did the 6 cyl radiator you purchase fix your problem? If so can you direct me to which one you bought?

Hey 5Clint7,

Just wondering why you moved the radiator to the 6 cyl position? It looks like there's plenty of room behind the radiator support.

This is an original '57 6-cyl. radiator. Upper tank does sit lower and upper radiator hose outlet comes off upper tank at an up angle to clear radiator support......

https://assets.hemmings.com/uimage/6...0@2X.jpg?rev=1

Hope this helps,

Harry