Since I have to save my pennies (a LOT of them) for a new radiator, I have temporarily installed the old copper one. I have new mounting hardware since the old one didn't have much. My question: there are two well nuts and bolts to attach LH side of rad to core. How do those work? Any place we tried to use them they went through. We ended up using regular bolts with weld nuts on them.

I believe that they are 1/4" well nuts. You can get them at your local Ace hardware store. I see that they offer a couple different 1/4" sizes. You want the beefier looking ones. I don't recall the exact dimensions for it. Place the well nut into the hole. Maybe put in a washer between the rad support and the well nut. I put a washer on both sides of the core support. Put the bolt through washer, support, washer and then into the well nut. As you tighten down the bolt it exspands the rubber actually pulling the rubber into itself. Making it fatter and filling the hole. Snug till it's tight. that is what I did when I changed to a big block rad. from a sb original radiator.

You wouldn't believe the picture that ran thru my mind. Got any pics? Something sounds a little funky. Could just be me tho:clonk:

That's how I did mine. With the rubber expanding. I bought them from Classic Industries. they're only used on the driver side though.
I'll try to post some pics tomorrow morning.

Robert

You wouldn't believe the picture that ran thru my mind. Got any pics? Something sounds a little funky. Could just be me tho:clonk:

Do we want to know what that picture is? Sorry I don't have any pics. But I will try and describe it better and the order. On the drivers side only will you use the well nuts as stated above. Don't know if you are working alone or not, but first on the pass. side mount the upper bolt to help hold the rad. in place. Don't tighten all the way yet. From the engine side of the radiator support on the drivers side put the well nuts into the corresponding holes. Then in between the rad. support and the rad. you will have a washer. The rad. mounting bracket is next, then another washer and bolt. As you tighten down the bolt into the well nut you will see the threaded part of the well nut being pulled back into itself. Expanding the rubber. Finish off with the lower mounting point and then the bottom pass. side bolt. Snuggem' down. Clear as mud?

Yep, well maybe, hmmm....J.K. :D Next opportunity to work on the car comes tomorrow night so I'll try it then, but I don't think there will be any issues. Thanks.

Robert if you have pics I'll take them too. They make great references.

I hated those well nuts. Solution? Toss 'em. I built a tray and the radiator sits on it. GM did the same thing the next year for all their cars. Wanna a pic?

I hated those well nuts. Solution? Toss 'em. I built a tray and the radiator sits on it. GM did the same thing the next year for all their cars. Wanna a pic?

Fred, show us all please. So that we all can benefit. Thanks

Well, let's see,,,,,ah haw. Now keep in mind this was during my quarter century clean-up two years ago. Things are a little crusty.
http://epitomesrebuild.com/images/208.JPG

Closer. See the rubber button to keep the radiator from moving sideways?
http://epitomesrebuild.com/images/209.JPG

The radiator sits in the stock location. Nothing to it. Been this way for nearly 30 years. The locating bracket at the top is held by the stock shroud mounting screw and is hidden under the shroud. It goes forward and down at a 90° angle. Then a piece of rubber fits between it and the top of the radiator. Pulling the radiator is much easier too. Just undo the plumbing and lift it out. Love it.
http://epitomesrebuild.com/images/138.JPG

Fred, You just ruined a perfectly good original 69 camaro. Hey but it is a good idea. Looks like a 70's camaro setup. Thanks for the pictures.

Hmm interesting idea. I'll take a closer look tomorrow when I have time and have a little day light to work.
Thanks

If you do a seach on this forum you will find many posts on well nut installation. That is the proper way to go to allow for expansion/contraction and body flex. Here is a link to show you what the well nut look like. They only go on the driver side.

http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=53060&highlight=radiator+nuts

I've got them and am planning on using them. I'm just not familiar with installation. I don't get to play with the cars where I work, just sell the parts. (bummer :() I'm still not sure I get it but I'll be looking at it tonight after soccer physicals.

Thanks for the walk through and pics. I'll let you know how it goes.

If you do a seach on this forum you will find many posts on well nut installation. That is the proper way to go to allow for expansion/contraction and body flex. Here is a link to show you what the well nut look like. They only go on the driver side.

http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=53060&highlight=radiator+nuts
Joe, just gotta disagree with you. These cars aren't space ships. Any way that we can make them easier to work on and keep our stuff happier (My original radiator sagged in the middle using well nuts) is the way to go. Besides the entire GM corporate production the following year went to the tray system.:thumbsup:

Hey Fred,

I guess each to his own that is one of the reasons we join this site right?!.

GM could not have been that far off the mark if they produced over 1/4 million 69's using the "well nut method" of support.....67's and 68's may have had them as well (that would make over 3/4 of a million cars) but I know much more about 69's. I bet ya that some guys on this site still have their original "well nuts" installed. Like anything in this world as time moves along designs change for may reasons...mostly due to material and labor costs. There is always a better mouse trap.

Personally I like to keep the stock install as much as possible and go with bolt on stuff should I ever decide to get my car back to stock.

"Keep the shinny side up"

Cheers:beers:
Joe