Punching Louvers in a 64 Mustang radiator support

[slingslingbinks]

Hello. This is my first post here and i'v been lurking for a while. I have a 64 Mustang and i need to replace the radiator support in it. While you can buy a 65-66 support, you can't get a 64. The major difference are 3 cooling louvers for the generator on the radiator support. I don't have any dimensions on these louvers because my support was previously replaced with a 65-66 model. I will get the dimensions and template for these louvers as soon as i find car with a original support from a 64 model. I will include a picture of these louvers. The picture of the mustang on a rotisserie is my 64 mustang and you can com pair it to the other picture and see the difference in the radiator support. My plan is to buy a new radiator support and have someone punch out these louvers, or make a louver punch to make these 3 louvers. Any suggestions will b helpful, Tks Scott

[jlrussell4]

Hi Scott,

Just some thoughts. I would expect that having louver dies made to punch three louvers would be cost prohibitive. You could try hammer forming them on a piece of scrap metal to see if this might work for you. As I look at the size and shape of these, I also wonder if you couldn't hand form the louvers (they look like they can be bent up on a brake) and weld them in place.

Maybe someone else will offer some other alternatives. Good Luck on your project.

[slingslingbinks]

Tks Jim for the come back. Yes on the dies being costly. I was hopeing some one has already done this louver punching and already has a set of dies. I'm thinking of rigging up a way to do them my self, But i need a pattern and dimensions off a original 64. My other option to do is buy a good rad support cut off a good 64 with the 3 louvers for 350$ and spend the time to cut the spot welds and prep it. It would be verry time consuming sence it will be like removing the rad, support from 2 car's and the used one will have to be attached to a jig to hold it while i drill the spot welds out. C-ya Scott

[CARS]

I agree with Jim. It's going to be costly to make dies unless you are going to buy up '65/'66 supports and punch them and sell them for '64's.

My thought. Find a junkyard '64 support. Odds are it is not shot in that area. Cut it out and section it into your reproduction support.

(ya, I know... not a metalshaping answer. Just a fast, easy way to get your project done :rolleyes: )

Hammer form or maybe a hydraulic press also come to mind if you want to do some experimentation. there are so many ways to do everything. I've made plywood dies and drove over them with my car to make a flange once :eek:

[Doug98105]

Make a die like shown, but with all three louvers. Hardwood will be fine.

Slit the louver opening with a tool of your choice, maybe an abrasive disc in a grinder.

Put the panel over the die and press with soft rubber to form louver.

http://www.metalmeet.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=3&pictureid=3967


Doug

[ShawnMarsh]

Drilling the spot welds from a used one, and the current one, isn't all that time consuming. I've done 200 spot welds in an hour, and I highly doubt you have that many. It would be by far the easiest solution, but if you are looking to enter the industry with a 64 support, making the dies would be best. If it's just one, spend the time to put in an original and be done in a few hours.

[slingslingbinks]

I got a lead on another radiator support and front cross member cut off another 64 for 75$ and shipping?. I'v got some Mustang buddy's getting me the measurement's for the louvers and placement of there 64 Mustang's rad. support's and i will go for the used part and get to drilling out the spot's. Oh and one thing here for ShawnMarsh, It's not the amount of spot welds to drill out, it's the fact that the piece i'm gonna have to drill and prep is not ankor'd to a body. Gonna b a different challenge for sure. Butt i may be surprised on it for sure. I'v seen your pictures, Shawn and it brought back memories of my 55 pickup. Good job on it. C-ya Scott

[slingslingbinks]

Make a die like shown, but with all three louvers. Hardwood will be fine.

Slit the louver opening with a tool of your choice, maybe an abrasive disc in a grinder.

Put the panel over the die and press with soft rubber to form louver.

http://www.metalmeet.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=3&pictureid=3967


Doug
Good idea Doug

[bobadame]

Or you could farm it out to Rex Rogers at Custom Auto in Loveland.

[slingslingbinks]

Or you could farm it out to Rex Rogers at Custom Auto in Loveland.

U got any info on Rex Roger's at Custom Auto in loveland? I love to chat to him and get his input on these louvers. Tks Scott

[slingslingbinks]

Got it...
http://realhotrods.com

[rexrogers]

Hand cutting these will be the best way to form them. I will try to remember to look for my John Glover book i believe he has a good write up on cutting them by hand they are a pretty deep draw you might have to make each one separately and then weld them together.