Folks,

I'm trying to locate an apparently obscure transmission oil cooler line fitting. Since this fitting is used in many Ford radiators, it shouldn't be hard to find a replacement, though it's turning out to be. Here's some background:

While trying to replace the radiator in my '90 Bronco, the transmission oil cooler (TOC) line nuts that attach to my old radiator are frozen. I've tried PB Blaster and WD40 on these "fittings," but my line wrench is still just rounding out the nuts. I don't want to risk completely wrecking them with vise grips. So, in order to pull out the old radiator, looks like I'll need to cut the TOC lines. Since the old TOC line fittings are stuck, I'll have to find new ones. Even after days on the internet, I can't find replacements.

These fittings, or nuts, come in either LONG or SHORT lengths. The fittings (nuts) in my old radiator are the LONG size -- and are SAE inverted flare 1/2-20 (for 5/16 steel line.) All the replacement or nuts lines I've found are of the SHORT length, and they won't screw far enough into the adapter that connects the trans cooling line to the radiator. See picture below:



O'Reilly's has some that show long nuts on the web, but in the store they are short. Here's an example:
American Grease Stick PA560 - Fuel & Transmission Line | O'Reilly Auto Parts

Does anyone know where to find the LONG 1/2-20 fittings, either as replacement nuts or line with such fittings?

 

swing by a U pull it or a wrecking yard. you might also try a little bit of heat.

 

Try using a 6pt socket

Look this up, Mcmaster-carr has many size adapters.


http://www.mcmaster.com/#cad-2d/=bgqmg9

 

Tried heating with a large soldering iron -- couldn't use a torch because it's too near the plastic tank. No budge! Might try a wrecking yard eventually.

 

Couldn't find it in McMaster. Thanks for the tio, though. I'll try to get the old fitting off with a socket after I pull the old radiator.

 

I made an extender out of a short inverted-flare line nut by filing off the threads (so it will slip into the adapter) and cutting the length down. I left the inverted flare end un-cut. Then I put the cut piece on the line, snugged it up to the line's flare and dropped an intact short nut on top. That leaves the cut one to seat the flare, and the uncut one to to screw into the adapter and put pressure on the inverted flare tip. If it holds I'll try to put a picture up for future readers who have the same problem.

 

Check fastenal and summit. I thought I saw some pressure flange oil cooler fittings there.

 

FORD PART# ON THE LONG TUBE NUT IS 389498.S2....STILL AVAILABLE FROM FORD.

 

good luck, I'll be in the same boat the first time I try do undo the rear brake lines from my crusty wheel cylinders.