So my 1993 Del Sol was in a minor front end accident. The car is on Coilovers and the previous owner drove over a curb, then backed over it bending the core support. The core support is both bent upwards and outwards. The car still drives straight, hood closes, headlights position correctly.

Currently, I’m unable to mount my radiator in the car since the lower mounting holes are bent. I currently have 3 options and would like input

1. Is it possible to bend it back into place enough to mount the radiator? I’d use a scissor jack between the crash bar and lower bar to bend it down, then scissor jack between wall and lower support to bend it inwards.

2. For $375 I can buy a whole new bulkhead from Honda and then have it welded in.

3. A collision shop

My only concern is that 3 would get expensive. I would like to go with 1 but I am not sure if it’s possible. I have attached some images below. Unfortunately I’m away and these are the best pictures I have of the damage. Thank you!

 

I can't see the pics at work, but I would be motivated to try #1 if possible.

 

It won't be perfect, but you could try elevating the car on STURDY jack stands, and then using some form of a wench to pull straight down on that lower support.

If you attempt it just make sure the car stays stable on the stands, you'll be applying a lot of downward force to the very front of the car which is already where most of the weight is.

 

Thank you, I'll try that. Not going for perfect, just need to get the radiator on. Down the line when all other problems are fixed, I am going to replace it. This is just for the time being.

How hard would the lower bar be to bend around? Im assuming not as bad as the crash bar, but is this at least a little malleable?

 

If you're looking for a quick temporary fix, just get some metal and make some brackets to screw to the bottom of the core support with holes drilled to accommodate the rubber bushings at the bottom of the radiator to hold the bottom of it in such a way that the upper radiator bracket locates properly onto the top of the radiator.

 

That was an idea too, the only issue is that the bar is also bent upwards, so I’d need brackets that go down and also towards the engine.

 

Not a problem if it's only temporary. Just watch for speed bumps, those concrete parking space barriers, sharp inclines, etc.

 

Take that green bar that goes across off (yeah the one that holds the bumper) painted green in your pic:it is bolted on and then take a sledge or similar hammer and patiently whack it back into shape. I have done similar work but evern worse since what was bent was bent inward which then i used a vehicle and chain to pull out the dent. You have nothing to lose since the alternative-replacing it would not matter what shape the bent part will be in.ideally I would use a bar or 2x4 wood piece to absorb and level the blows of the hammer across the whole piece

 

I wish I had a wench that would help me work on my Civic...

 

I would be concerned about using the crash bar to use as a pressure point. I too would want to just pull straight down instead of trying to use a frame spreader method with the crash bar.

Front jack stands so the rear tires are on the ground will give a lot more leverage to prevent the front from tipping forward when you are pulling down. I would say 3 ton jack stands at the bare minimum.

I'd then consider drilling a hole in the concrete floor and putting an anchor in the concrete that you can attach a heavy duty eyelet to so you can then work a come along with.

If you know someone who welds, replacing would be fast and easy I would think.

 

BFH and a 2x4 bang it straight down. its a radiator support, not the struts so you don't have to have it perfect. I like the idea of a concrete anchor.

 

BFH, 2*4 or some square tubing would be better, start smacking.

 

Beat it into submission. Mine was bent in and up, and I got it "good enough" with a come-along and a tree, and then some whacking with a sledge hammer. I did have to chain the back of the Civic to my Suburban to keep from dragging the Civic across the yard.

If you're unhappy with how it turns out, only then would I consider replacing it. Please understand the cheap core supports you find online are made out of thinner gauge steel than OEM.

 

Option 3 would be better because its a new radiator support and it will be str8 and aligned. If you're on a budget you'll have to bend it back as best you can. The bending part will be the challenge because it requires some creativity.

 

looks like mine did when I went off track and over a burm.
Track side mechanics to the rescue.... We tied a log chain to a good sized tree (down low) and the support, then backed the car up a few times.
If you choose this method, be sure to have someone watching closely with every time you yank on it to make sure you do not go too far.
I was shocked how easy it was and how well it went back into place.
That was many years ago and have yet to have a single problem from it.

 

Thank you everyone for the replies, I was able to fix it this weekend. I hit it with a sledgehammer, then used a chain and my other car to fine tune how the bar was bent. Got it about 95% back to normal, its the right height and everything. The left mounting hole is still off so I need to build a bracket for that. Below are before and after pictures.



Now all that's left is to fix the leaking water pump so I can start to drive the car