Re: Motor/transmission removal and reinstall, 48 coupe

Posted by HH56 On 2016/12/20 0:16:06

Is there a bar or U shaped channel bolted between the fenders slightly in front of the radiator which supports the right head light cable? If so that may need to come off. If the top radiator connection is longer than normal that could cause a problem.

I seem to remember a post from a few years back where someone did wind up cutting the top of the cradle off for clearance. IIRC, he made the cuts 3 or so inches down from the curves or slightly above the bracket where the fenders bolt to the cradle sides. To replace the section he fabricated a couple of sheetmetal straps or splices bent so it would wrap around 3 sides of the bar. I believe he said they were made from 16 gauge metal and roughly 3 inches long. He painted them and held the splices on with sheetmetal screws above and below the cut to secure the top section rigidly in position. I believe the bar is hollow so it might even be possible to use a short piece of angle iron inside the bar and hold the sections together with a couple of bolts. Make something like that and the modification would not be too noticeable.

If you are contemplating the instructions Ross gave to remove or install the engine/trans as a unit you will need to cut that top off anyway so maybe it would be worth it to do it to more easily remove the radiator.