1975-79 gm x body radiator supports are a direct bolt in to 73-74 apollo? True?

Discussion in 'The "X" bodies' started by Carry Gross, Jul 7, 2015.

  1. Carry Gross

    Carry Gross Well-Known Member

    While searching for a replacement radiator for my 74 Apollo, I spoke with a person who claimed that the 1975-79 x body radiator (core) support was a direct bolt in to the 73-74 apollo's, allowing the use of much larger radiators. (minimum of 26" wide- 17 1/2 tall core - vs my current 22" wide core - the widest that fits the current hole) The only difference being 4 bolts that hold the top radiator plate vs. the 3 that are used now. Everything else is the same. Said he has done this to 4 73-74 x bodies to date, that he is 60 years old, has a photographic memory and has owned his own speed shop since the mid 70s out of Aurora Colorado. I told him that's the first Id ever heard of that route and he promptly said "Im telling you guy, your wasting your time doing it any other way, its a simple bolt in deal, and the only way your going to cool that big block". He sounded legit in his unique way. Has any one else ever heard of this? I don't have access to a 75-79 x body to investigate, but Im going to look in to it at a car show or wrecking yard. Or has someone here done this? :Do No:
     
  2. newmexguy

    newmexguy Well-Known Member

    Hmm. I really doubt it, at least not without some fabrication. The 73 - 74 apollo X car uses the same subframe (roughly) as the 67 - 69 F car (Camaro / Firebird) and the other 68 - 74 X cars (Chev II, Nova, Ventura II, Omega, and of course Apollo). The subframes of the (67 - 74 F and X) is not the same as the 75 - 79 X cars and the 70 - 81 F cars (from which much of the 75 - 79 subframe and front suspension was derived. The 70 - 81 F, and hence 75 - 79 X cars had a wider track and were lower (slightly) than their earlier versions.
    The later radiator supports tended to rust/rot out at a greater rate (apparently) in more salty/moist parts of the country. They are not reproduced, either, as there is just not enough demand for any repro house to tool up and start making them. A fair amount of compound curves in the stampings might make reproducing them iffy cost wise for any repro entity. I have heard wild stories of them selling (used) for up to $250 on ebay, but have never gotten close to that in pricing the ones i have pulled out of El Paso TX area U pull it carcasses. They don't seem to sell consistently, either, sometimes they sell immediately after posting them, and sometimes they sit for months.
     

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  3. Carry Gross

    Carry Gross Well-Known Member

    Great pictures there, I highly doubt I could find that caliber of core support in picture 2 around here, that one would clean up like new. I am suspecting that's from a 6 cylinder as I can see the indentation of where a person could trim out a larger hole, or the factory would of if heavy duty cooling was ordered. I noticed as well on other forums that it looks like there just isn't going to be any repro'd core supports anytime soon if ever, due to demand and cost and just as you stated they tended to rot out pretty bad. I am finding nothing that talks about this swap being done, especially as a simple bolt in swap to fit a larger radiator in the 73-74 x body. I spoke with the man again today and he swore up and down that the 1970 Buick 455 does not have 1 1/2" water neck outlet or a 1 1/2" water pump inlet. in the same direct manner, I don't know what the deal is but mine does. All I wanted was just to replace my radiator with a bigger one if possible. I have decided to just have my radiator leak fixed and put it back in and press on with summer. I will from now on pay a lot closer attention to these cars when I am in a salvage yard and if I see a good one Ill grab it for future reference, and possibly try it on another car. If it doesn't work, Ill try to sell it. Thanks for your input, I'm with you I doubt this will work, but being told so straightforward like that, that it does, because he has done it multiple times just caught me by surprise as it would be a great thing to know and use if its so.
     
  4. 25yrBuickTECH

    25yrBuickTECH Well-Known Member

    I went out and measured my 1974 Apollo with a 350 SBB.
    Radiator measured 29" tank to tank - 24" wide 3-row core and 17 1/2" tall on the core.
     
  5. newmexguy

    newmexguy Well-Known Member

    One way to check something - what is the distance center of radiator support biscuit hole to radiator buscuit hole on a 74 X and what is that same distance on a 75 X? That would tell one whether the frame horns are the same distance apart, for both generations.
     
  6. newmexguy

    newmexguy Well-Known Member

    This is the 75 - 79 X radiator support in front of a 70 Nova Subframe (67 - 74 F/X) Not even close. I suspect your friend was confusing the 73 - 74 Apollo with the 75 - 79 Apollo / Skylark models.
     

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    Last edited: Jul 19, 2015

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