Radiator question
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 4,436
Likes: 19
From: Regina, Saskatchewan
Anyone ever break off a fitting in the bottom of the rad? Trans line fitting or otherwise?
That's one thing I'm afraid of with aluminium construction (hesitant to buy full aluminium) - stripping threads or busting fittings.
That's one thing I'm afraid of with aluminium construction (hesitant to buy full aluminium) - stripping threads or busting fittings.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 9,606
Likes: 1,175
From: San Jose, CA
Never known anyone to have that problem even with aluminum. I'm sure it's possible, and perhaps even more likely with the aluminum. But the typical aluminum radiator is very thick in that area.
It's still aluminum of course, but it's not any different at that point than screwing something into an intake manifold or cylinder head. Well, maybe a little different...
The plastic tank equipped aluminum radiators use steel inserts into many of the holes, so they're pretty strong I'm guessing.
Also don't know anyone that's buggered any of those either.
The aluminum screw-in tube fittings though, look to be very easy to break off if you go too tight. Most of the stuff you get is either brass or steel, but using aluminum fittings in aluminum threads would seem advisable from a galvanic reaction standpoint. But with some sort of thread sealer and a coating on the metal part, maybe that's not really an issue.
Paul
It's still aluminum of course, but it's not any different at that point than screwing something into an intake manifold or cylinder head. Well, maybe a little different...
The plastic tank equipped aluminum radiators use steel inserts into many of the holes, so they're pretty strong I'm guessing.
Also don't know anyone that's buggered any of those either.
The aluminum screw-in tube fittings though, look to be very easy to break off if you go too tight. Most of the stuff you get is either brass or steel, but using aluminum fittings in aluminum threads would seem advisable from a galvanic reaction standpoint. But with some sort of thread sealer and a coating on the metal part, maybe that's not really an issue.
Paul
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 4,436
Likes: 19
From: Regina, Saskatchewan
Never known anyone to have that problem even with aluminum. I'm sure it's possible, and perhaps even more likely with the aluminum. But the typical aluminum radiator is very thick in that area.
It's still aluminum of course, but it's not any different at that point than screwing something into an intake manifold or cylinder head. Well, maybe a little different...
The plastic tank equipped aluminum radiators use steel inserts into many of the holes, so they're pretty strong I'm guessing.
Also don't know anyone that's buggered any of those either.
The aluminum screw-in tube fittings though, look to be very easy to break off if you go too tight. Most of the stuff you get is either brass or steel, but using aluminum fittings in aluminum threads would seem advisable from a galvanic reaction standpoint. But with some sort of thread sealer and a coating on the metal part, maybe that's not really an issue.
Paul
It's still aluminum of course, but it's not any different at that point than screwing something into an intake manifold or cylinder head. Well, maybe a little different...
The plastic tank equipped aluminum radiators use steel inserts into many of the holes, so they're pretty strong I'm guessing.
Also don't know anyone that's buggered any of those either.
The aluminum screw-in tube fittings though, look to be very easy to break off if you go too tight. Most of the stuff you get is either brass or steel, but using aluminum fittings in aluminum threads would seem advisable from a galvanic reaction standpoint. But with some sort of thread sealer and a coating on the metal part, maybe that's not really an issue.
Paul
Plastic tanks with brass inserts should theoretically be fine. Even Aluminium tanks with brass inserts should be fine too I think. It's the aluminium tanks with no brass insert (all-aluminium thread) - those would be terrible.
All of our transmission cooler lines are steel or stainless. Not a great combination with an all-aluminium radiator that has all-aluminium fittings inside it.
Here is some really good reading and some food for thought for those who are running an aluminium rad:
Aluminium Radiators - Galvanic and Electrolytic Corrosion | Super 7th Heaven
I'm not saying I agree with all of that statements in the above link, but it's something to chew on.
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