Rubber Radiator Mounts Needed

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I am looking for the rubber pucks the radiator sits on, anyone have a contact or replacement ideas?

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This is shown on page one of the Fleet Arrow parts manual as P/N 77423 pad and is identical to that used in the Series 80 passenger car.

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Charles,

You might consider going to a tire shop and get your hands on a worn out tire.

You can butcher it with a serious razor-knife and cut out a few pieces from the sidewall.

On my Series 80 those pieces are not hockey-pucks, but rectangular pieces that have a “U” cut in center of the long edge for ease of installation.

They sit on the chassis and the studs from the radiator sit on the rectangular pieces.

I wouldn’t think that the thickness is TOO MUCH of a problem, however I would consider having two thicknesses of sidewall, or some similar tough rubber material so that you have 1/4″ to 3/8″ thickness.

Then, just bolt them down tight and you should be go to go.

As usual, others will chime in, but this is not a high-tech, critical piece and I believe that on my Series 80 the radiator rest pads are not rubber, per se, but thick (as above) woven, perhaps tar coated, material.

You need a cushion, and not a serious shock absorber, because you are going to bolt the radiator snug anyway.

Just my thoughts on the matter.

Also, Restoration Supply might sell something for that application.

Peter

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Thanks Guys, I didn’t see it in the parts manual since I looked at page 33 which only shows the radiator. My biggest question was the thickness since I did not have anything left of the old one. Sounds like an easy piece to make. Heck, the original red rubber tube from one of my tires is at least 1/4″ thick.”

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Hi Mike,

The radiator pads as Peter mentioned are a cord-reinforced rubber pad. I use pieces of old flat farm-tractor drive belting. it doesn’t have any taper like most tire sidewalls have and is usually easy to find different thicknesses.

The pads do play a significant part in getting the hood to fit properly, since they dictate the height of the radiator, the hood hinge is socketed into the radiator shell, so they are interdependent. Adjusting the fit of the hood often requires adding or reducing the height of the radiator.

you won’t know or need to be concerned about this until you get your cowl, [hint hint] and get it mounted, then set your hood in place.. THEN you will be able to see if the hood to cowl and hood to radiator shell are correct.

One note of caution: For some odd reason, the studs on the bottom of the radiator are an odd thread, I think one thread per inch less than national coarse. So, use the old nuts, and check them on the studs first.. There should be 4 nuts, two per stud, they are locked against each other to allow for some play or movement with chassis twist.

If getting a hunk of tire sidewall is going to be a pain, i can send you some pieces..

Greg

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Thanks Greg, I have access to belting and that should work. I am still working on a good time to come visit. I think it would be invaluable for my project to see your toys in person and the cowl of course. I thought being an empty nester was going to give me some free time but just because both my kids are in college didn’t really free me up as much as expected.

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I’ve used large truck mud flaps as radiator pads on other cars in the past.

They are usually cord reinforced rubber and are easy to work with.

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I ewndorse Craig and Greg’s recommendation to use flat material and not tire sidewall. It does need to be cord reinforced for longevity. I find I can get belting material anytime I want it, in a variety of thicknesses, by going to a local truck repair shop. They usually give me a scrap.

I like Peter’s suggestion of cutting a slot in them, so they can be added or replaced without completely dismounting the radiator..

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Gents,

I was just being cheap, and considering that the pad is 1-1/4″ wide, there shouldn’t be too much problem with a variation in thickness.

Also considering how the guys in the 50s, 60s, 70s & 80s cobbled Pierce-Arrow cars together before the Internet and Message Boards, I though my solution was both Right On and Elegant Old School!

Per Arnold, I too like the other suggestions offered, even if junk tires are cheaper and virtually indestructible.

Cheers,

Peter

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