69 vrs 72 core support

[zakt]

debating what core support to use.. my 69 or 72 but notice the hood lock mount holes are different. Anyone have a pic of the clips for the 69 ??

top-69
bottom-72

[basketcase0302]

http://www.fordification.com/tech/radsupport.htm

[zakt]

What about the clips that go into the 69 support without the round hole next to the square?

[71PA_Highboy]

Drill the holes? No one will see them or know...

[Ranchero50]

The '69 is missing the square quick nuts that pop out. The newer stuff uses a fender 'U' nut. Your square holes on the '69 are where the round holes are on the '72.

I'd just use the newer support if it's in better shape.

[zakt]

The 69 is in better shape... not to say I couldnt cut that section out and weld it into the 69s but prob not worth it. I assume the quick nuts are plastic...

[Calfdemon]

I just pulled my 69 support out the other day and it is in the back of my truck. When I get home today, I will take pictures for you and post them here...

[Ranchero50]

The 69 is in better shape... not to say I couldnt cut that section out and weld it into the 69s but prob not worth it. I assume the quick nuts are plastic...

They are metal, similar to the ones on the top of the support where the fenders bolt on.

[Calfdemon]

Took a picture of my 69 support today, but my truck came with the super cooler radiator and has the bigger radiator support. My 69 support does not look the same as yours, so I am assuming that you had the standard radiator and the standard support.

Anyway, here is the picture of my 69 support, but it looks to be set up like your 72 support.

[72BahamaBlue]

The earlier core supports have a captive nut, the later used a J-nut.
Rectangle nut held with a metal clip, 1 is also used on the passenger side inner fender, used to hold the battery tray bracket.
First photo shows how I've seen them in the core support, as looking towards the engine. That metal cage likes to break when trying to remove the bolt...
I've tried to get one to fit into the earlier-style core supports with no luck. I wonder if they were clipped on from the back before core was assembled.

[tylerb43]

zakt, What you're looking for is called a cage nut, and you should be able to easily find one to fit at your local Ace Hardware, as I did at mine. At some point obviously they changed the design to use a clip nut, but the cage nut design will still work fine with new hardware.

[zakt]

Thanx everyone for the info will check out some cage nuts. My 72' has the bigger radiator (super cool) so have to take those brackets off also and move to the other one (just spot welded on)

[72BahamaBlue]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but;
Has anyone had luck finding and fitting cage-nuts into the earlier core supports?

[zakt]

anyone have the size bolt, thread that takes...

[tylerb43]

It's a 5/16-18 I'm sure, just like every other bolt on the front clip.