Another build thread? Yep, my track-style T

[J. Robinson]

With the support hoop finished, the next step is to make the appropriate bracketry for mounting the radiator. In its stock application, the Civic radiator uses a rubber insulated 3-point mounting system. Since the mounting studs are already welded in place, I decided to put them to use.

The first task was to find some useable rubber insulators. A trip to the local hardware store netted me some electrical grommets that, used in combination, will suit the purpose. The large diameter thin ones fit over the weld on the studs and protect the radiator tanks from rubbing the steel brackets I will make. The small diameter thick ones will keep the studs centered in the bracket "cups".

I began making the brackets by cutting 3 rings from a piece of 1" black iron pipe. The rings are 1/2" wide to match the thickness of the small grommets. Next, for the bottom brackets, I cut two pieces of 3/16" x 3" flat stock 2 1/2" long and welded a ring to one corner of each of them. Note that these two pieces are opposites of each other.

I used some weatherstrip adhesive to hold the large grommets in place on the radiator. The small grommets fit perfectly in the "cups" I just made.

The final step for the lower brackets was to position them on the front crossmember and weld them in place. To do that, I mocked up the radiator in position with the brackets in place (because they are not spaced equally on the radiator), tack-welded them, removed the radiator, and welded them solid.