I had to split the bottom of the radiator support to get the old radiator out.  There was no other way to get it out! I know others have been able to do a radiator R&R with little effort, but that was simply not the case with me.

Fabricated angle iron brackets to reconnect the bottom of the radiator support to the side pieces.

Removed the radiator support completely to repair several cracks and repaired by welding and then cleaned, primed and painted it black.

Removed, repaired with fiberglass and reinforced with aluminum bar stock the fan shroud. I had to do this because part of the fiberglass shroud was missing completely and there were numerous cracks in other areas.  A couple of evenings spent rebuilding the fiberglass was required.

Split the fan shroud for easier access and modified it to allow removal of the ring and assorted brackets and rubber connector. I split and repaired the shroud myself because I couldn't get the recommended Curtis split shroud in time because the Curtis's were at a rally.

Removed as surplus the hardware associated with the old “horse collar” configuration of the fan shroud.

Replaced the transmission cooler lines because the old ones were impossible to remove intact from the radiator and transmission. These had to be re-bent to fit even though they were purchased from Cinnabar as supposedly being fabricated to be a perfect fit on the 455.

Replaced the water pump because it was accessible and it would never be easier.

Replaced the fuel pump because it was accessible and it would never be easier.

Replaced the 4 year old fan clutch because it was accessible and it would never be easier. It turned out that I thought the new fan clutch was bad because of vibration when the engine was running about 700-1000 RPM. In September 2006 I found out that the vibration was caused by HEI distributor cap causing one of the spark plugs to not fire. I will keep the "new" fan clutch as a spare.

Replaced the fuel pump to carburetor steel gas line because I had one and it would never be easier.  Also fittings on the gas line were pretty messed up.  Someone must have used a vice grip on them in an earlier time.

Didn't replace any of the belts because they were all less than 2 years old.

Replaced the in-line fuel filter because I had one and it would never be easier.

Replaced the low coolant sensor with a new from Cinnabar.  I had to buy new brass fittings to allow the new sensor to fit in the hole provided in the new radiator. The old sensor was damaged beyond repair when I removed it from the old radiator.  Persons unknown had brazed it to the radiator. The low coolant sensor doesn't seem to work now. I know the old one worked.

Replaced the alternator because a tapped hole in its body was stripped and it was accessible and it would never be easier. Bought a new remanufactured 100AMP alternator from AutoZone with a lifetime warranty.

Replaced all radiator hoses because they were accessible and it would never be easier. I had to use New Old Stock hoses I had in the pod from the previous owner because both of the new Gates hoses I purchased would not fit. The old hoses had a slightly larger ID than the new hoses.  I found out during the GMCMI rally in Berrien Springs in 2006 that Griffin didn't build my radiator to fit my coach. Paul Bartz had one of my vintage and he had it  shipped it back to Griffin for rework.  Someone  at Griffin apparently didn't weld the correct size fittings to the radiator during that run (version 1.0 to be avoided).  It is too late for me because my radiator is installed and there is no way I’m going to R&R it now. I wonder though what I will do when I need to replace the hoses in the future.

Replaced all the hose clamps with all stainless steel clamps because I was in there.

Replaced the old 185 degree thermostat with a Robert Shaw 195 degree that I got from Denny Allen because I changed everything else out.

Replaced the rubber support pads with new ones because they were accessible and it would never be easier. I had to run all over town to get a full set from GM dealers.

I had to cut and bend the top of the radiator support bracket in order to accommodate the location of the fill cap in the new radiator.

Replaced the engine oil cooler lines because the old radiator didn't have the male adapter fittings required for the new radiator. You are supposed to use the old fittings on the new radiator. I was unable to locate from any source those reverse flair to pipe thread fittings. I had to convert to another type of flair fitting so that I could get the job done.  This resulted in my having new hoses fabricated at a local hydraulics shop.  Between my day job and running around this took three days.

Refilled with Prestone premixed 50-50 antifreeze

Took a short weekend trip with the GMC.

So far no leaks!!

It does seem to run cooler.