Well maybe it's not sexy, but how about nonrusty? While most guys leave the unseen alone, the core support is one area that needs to be tended to. It doesn't just hold the radiator; it is also the support structure for the front of your ride. This is the part that holds the fenders square and keeps everything bolted to the frame, a pretty important job.
After decades of weather, road grime, leaky radiators, and old batteries, the core support on most musclecars has had it, and we noticed the support on our '71 Buick GS convertible looked like a Lebanese runway. GM A-bodies are home to some of the worst core support rust. The battery is located directly over the passenger-side frame mount, so when it leaks, the resulting rust kills bolts and mounting surfaces that can loosen up the front clip. Our eyes were opened when the front clip lifted off the frame during an engine pull. Closer inspection revealed the body bolts had completely melted away.
Mr. Buick of Topeka, Kansas, manufactures a few repro parts for Buicks, one of which is a core-support rebuild kit for either left- or righthand sides. Both kits include lower core and side sections as well as a new frame-bushing box. The new metal is thicker than stock, looks like factory, and comes complete with locating holes.
Each side takes about three hours to install and requires precise cutting and welding. You will also need to cut quite a few spot-welds. Check it out.
We wiped some body filler over the seam so the repair will be undetectable once installed.
Here is a list of the parts that you will need to accomplish this project on your own. Notice that all of these parts can be found at your local parts store, making it possible to acquire the necessary materials fairly easily.
Visit mrbuick.com for Buick specific parts, such as the core support replacement we installed here.
