Getting ready to install the radiator on 48 DeSoto

[MarcDeSoto]

I put the radiator support in today and took the radiator to a shop to put a new top inlet on the top tank.  The radiator fell and a chunk broke off of the neck.  They quoted me $90 to replace it.  My question is how is the radiator supported.  From the parts manual, it looks like the shields on each side have something to do with holding the radiator up.  Does the radiator support have anything to do with holding up the radiator?

[tom'sB2B]

This may or may not help. The radiator support bolts to the frame and then the inner fender guards bolt to the radiator support. The radiator bolts to the holes circled.

[desoto1939]

Marc: on my 39 Desoto on each side of the main body of the radiator thee are flanges with holes drill in specific locations.  Bolts and nuts go thrugh the holes to bolt the radiator to the support.

 

Post a picture of the radiator and also the support.

 

Rich Hartung

[MarcDeSoto]

Thanks Rich and Tom.  That pic is very helpful.  It makes some sense now.  My radiator is in the shop right now, but I can send pics of the support and the shields.  Now to find the right size nuts and bolts.  

[andyd]

The 3 or 4 bolts holding the radiator to the radiator surround are usually 1/4 UNC by 3/4" or 1" long with a 7/16th AF head.............the bolts that screw into the lower side of the radiator surround are usually 7/16th UNF thread by 1" long with a 1/2" or 9/16th AF head, these bolts also help attach the forward edge of the inner fender panels and are attached from the underside of the front fender thru to the radiator surround.........then there is the two studs pointing vertically down at the bottom or underneath the radiator surround which go thru the front crossmember and have some square 1/8th thick plate or "spacer" between the radiator surround and crossmember and have nuts inserted thru the large hole in the bottom of the front crossmember...........at least this arrangement is what I've seen on Oz mopars and some imported/US built cars..........andyd