Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

The radiator support does unbolt as one piece but is not easy to remove without taking the front clip off. You can see in the picture alot of sheet metal screws and a couple bolts. It's around 10-12 fasteners.
The hoop is spot welded to the uprights on each side in the crease underside. You can see then in the picture. I assume he just completely drilled them out. You can use a spot weld cutter then weld back as well. It'll be closer to original that way than bolts. If you weld on car just be sure to cover everything to protect the paint, chrome, etc.
ps:Site needs to organize some of this info, because I went thru the same discussion last year and this info should be all in one spot "pulling engines" to not reinvent the wheel each time.

Agreed

Yes...I drilled out the two spot welds on each side of the support and I simply used automotive flange self tapping bolts to reinstall it. I had to R&R that sucker 6 times because I had to R&R the fan and radiator a couple of times so I was glad I did not weld it back in. It does not appear to be a structural component...it just is there as a provision to bolt the forward radiator cover to.