Aluminum or steel radiator support, by looking at picture?

[grandamman]

OK, here is an NOS radiator support listed on Ebay.
Who can tell if it's steel or aluminum by looking at this picture. If you know, don't give it away too fast...
If anyone can post the picture it would be helpful too...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/400815481553?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT

 

[455'ed80Regal]

Re: Aluminum or steel radiator support, by looking at pictur

I can tell which one it is/isn't.

 

[lilbowtie]

Re: Aluminum or steel radiator support, by looking at pictur

Part # will tell you.

 

[grandamman]

Re: Aluminum or steel radiator support, by looking at pictur

Yes, the part number would be one way. We usually don't have the luxury of having the part number.
There are two other indicators in the photo.

 

[lilbowtie]

Re: Aluminum or steel radiator support, by looking at pictur

No letter stamped in tie bar - headlight access hole - spot welds

 

[88hurstolds]

Re: Aluminum or steel radiator support, by looking at pictur

78-81 Monte's didn't come with aluminum supports so that's the first obvious clue since it's for a Monte given the design of the headlight openings, only Pontiacs and Buicks got AL supports...
Also, there was only one design headlight opening on the 3 supports offered, this is not the correct design.

There are aluminum supports without the A stamped on it so that is not the only way to tell.

All aluminum supports have a small triangular brace welded in at the bottom corner of the cradle for support since the construction was much different. It was two pieces and welded on the bottom corner instead of one continuous stamped piece.
Essentially the bottom pan can be removed.
Also, they were full of crappy welds that usually break.

 

[grandamman]

Re: Aluminum or steel radiator support, by looking at pictur

Yup, and one more clear way to tell by looking at the picture?
It's an easy way to tell if someone sends you a picture of the engine bay.

 

[grandamman]

Re: Aluminum or steel radiator support, by looking at pictur

I had never noticed this before....

All aluminum supports have a small triangular brace welded in at the bottom corner of the cradle for support since the construction was much different. It was two pieces and welded on the bottom corner instead of one continuous stamped piece.
Essentially the bottom pan can be removed.

 

[clean8485]

Re: Aluminum or steel radiator support, by looking at pictur

So, is this a test? How did everyone do?

 

[grandamman]

Re: Aluminum or steel radiator support, by looking at pictur

Kind of a quiz... I guess.
The easiest way for me to tell if it's an aluminum radiator support or steel is:
Of course, no rust.
Big ugly welds.
And on aluminum there is no tab to hold the hood release cable. I guess the aluminum was to week and would break, so they uses a plastic clip instead.
At least I've never seen the tab on an aluminum support..maybe they were all broken off already lol..