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My radiator has sprung a leak so I’m going to replace it. All the new radiators have the OTW transmission cooler in the bottom of them. I’d like to add the transmission line through the radiator.
My question is: what thread/fitting goes in the bottom of the radiator? I thought it was 3/8” NPT but it clearly is not (after buying fittings). I don’t have factory push to connect hard lines to go into there as mine didn’t come plumbed for the OTW. Also I’ve added a Derale thermostat so my lines are different anyway. What I’d like is some fitting that threads into the radiator with a 1/2” hose barb on it.
If you want to use Google to search the FTE, you can do so with the following keywords where fuel pump is changed to what you are looking for. site:ford-trucks.com 7.3 "fuel pump"
Sous, I spent the better part of two hours searching for the fittings required, and went through FTE with a fine tooth comb. The only part numbers I found for this swap are the ones in your last link and they are for the fluid hard lines and clips. With all this extra cooling I think I’ll still need the Derale thermostat for everyday driving, so the hard lines wouldn’t work. I’m still not finding what I’m looking for.
Eric, I assume you have already installed the new radiator? I know you had a hard time finding the radiator locally to you, do you still have the other one from Amazon? I am looking for a way can walk into one of the parts stores like Napa and find the right sized fitting by trying ones on the shelf with the radiator in your hand. They normally have a big box with a lot of small drawers with various sized fittings in it. You could also try a hardware store, just to get the proper thread count and size and then source the parts you need from there.
Did the thread from Colorado350 not offer any good advice for you regarding the plumbing associated with the Derale install?
Found on another forum someone claims they are 1/4" NPT, does that sound right at all? Forgive me because I am not familiar with these fittings at all..
I’ve already got the Derale installed when I did the 6.0 trans cooler.
I haven’t actually installed the radiator yet. I was about to this morning when I tried the 3/8” NPT fittings and found they were wrong.
I’d prefer to not have to drag the radiator down to the auto parts store in the current state of affairs. That’s why I’m trying to find out if someone else has this information already. UPS is my friend.
Found on another forum someone claims they are 1/4" NPT, does that sound right at all? Forgive me because I am not familiar with these fittings at all..
They are definitely not NPT. It looks to be a straight thread with an o-ring.
I have been searching Google and FTE this entire time my friend and have come up with NOTHING other than the wrong information as you have indicated. Unless someone pops in with a definitive answer, I think you will be venturing out into the wasteland...
I did see a recent thread by @JT250 about this, but he was asking about the o-ring inside the radiator and not the size of the fitting.
On the advice from AubieTN, I have heard Sims Radiator in Lawernceville GA does good work and they might be able to help you. Frankly, it doesn't matter at all who you call, as long as they can give you the answer you are looking for.
Is it possible to see if any of your local parts stores have the OEM replacement hard lines and you can get the fitting size from there?
Hey man, Your going to have to start thinking metric for the OTW threads on the radiator. I had to go through two different radiators to find one that was compatible with my truck. The first came with hose barb fittings. I keep them, but they would not thread into the second one. A lot of places will let you carry stuff out to check the fitment. That the best advise I have for you. Which radiator did you go with?
I got a Spectra 2171 radiator from Autozone. I originally had one from Amazon but it showed up damaged and I returned it.
I’ve used a bunch of these radiators. No problems. Catastrophic failure extremely unlikely and I could change it under warranty in the parking lot in under an hour - so no way I could justify one that cost 2-3x as much.
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