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

What is the trick to getting the radiator out of a 1950 Packard Sedan? The top intake nozzle wants to hit the bar over the top of the radiator. How do I pull the old one out and install a new one without taking apart the entire front end of the car?

This might be one of the models where you do take off the whole front clip. Example from just a day or two ago:packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb ... 9058&post_id=280238#forumpost280238

Removing a whole front clip is not actually too terrible and IMHO is less of a problem than the cost to recore one of these unfortunately.

I believe the removing front clip approach is the correct method but there have also been some that cut the top of the cradle off fairly high on each side to remove the radiator. The top is either welded back to make it one piece again or some took the time to fabricate tabs that would go on each cut top end and be welded or bolted on.

If you attempt this, ideally the brackets would be hidden on the inside next to the radiator but you do need to verify spacing for thickness of tabs and any bolts or nuts as some cores come close to the cradle. Drill and tap the brackets which would both act as a guide and a secure attachment that would slide down a couple of inches inside the bottom half of the cradle to stabilize the joints. You can either weld the tabs to the top half or use short bolts. Position the cut so bolt heads are easily accessible from the sides of the cradle that thread into the tapped holes on both pieces. This method also allows the top to be removed and rebolted to the bottom half again should it prove necessary to remove the radiator in the future.