Trans cooler lines
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
From: Hudson, OH
At C/l
Got the steel tubing today, found I could buy the "double flare" dies for only 6 bucks, will work on my single flare tool, all set there. Called the US Rad folks, "they think it's single flare", gives you a lot of confidence.
Anyhoo, made the brackets today to install the electric fan onto the radiator, I didn't want to use the mickey mouse plastic straps through the fins.
Anyhoo, made the brackets today to install the electric fan onto the radiator, I didn't want to use the mickey mouse plastic straps through the fins.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
I suspected it was a single flare, it's not a high pressure application. You can check it by matching the angle of the flaring tool with the seat on the fitting. It will be pretty obvious which is right. As someone already mentioned put an S bend in the line before the radiator, it will make the connection easier and give some room for expansion and contraction as well as vibration absorption. You can see in my making changes gallery the mounts I made for my electric fan and AC condensor out of 1/2" square tubing and angle iron.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,288
Likes: 1,052
From: NM
Originally Posted by AXracer
I suspected it was a single flare, it's not a high pressure application.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
Many stock applications use a rubber hose strain and vibration relief in the line held on with standard wire ring type hose clamps. 40-50 # is nothing like the hundreds of # pressure in a brake line nor it it a safety issue, the flash point of tranny fluid is much higher than any engine component it might spray on. Like I said tho easy enough to match the angle of the tool to the fitting.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
From: Hudson, OH
A/t C/l
The PO's set up was 1/4" copper tubing to a finned cooling loop about 6" x 18", oriented horizontally under the splash shield in front of the radiator, with rubber hose connections. Couldn't have been getting much air, and no matter what I'd do, it'd be better. Anyway, sometimes I do something that some consider overkill just for the learning experience, so will be using the steel tubing, double flares, and following all of the advice I've heard here, plus what I've read on the subject. I want to learn how to bend the tubing, do double flares, do a proper routing, considering all the engine movement, vibration, etc. Will mock up with coat hanger wire first, then bend up the tubing. I'm hoping for no leaks, no vibrations or buzzes, and a cool tranny.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
Jim, only use double flares if the fittings are made for double flares. Using double flares with fittings designed for single flares is like trying to use a metric nut on a SAE thread bolt, you might be lucky and achieve reasonable success, but it still isn't right and can lead to problems down the road. I have nothing against double flares, but please don't think because of the name they are necessarily twice as good. It is even possible that the fittings on your radiator are not for flares at all (Although likely they are).
It's going back to your original question: Is copper better than steel because it is more expensive? No, and the same with double flares, just because they are fancier and more difficult to do does not make them better if the fitting does not call for them (or even if it does, if your dies do not make them perfect i.e. centered and symetrical they can leak like a sieve).
It's going back to your original question: Is copper better than steel because it is more expensive? No, and the same with double flares, just because they are fancier and more difficult to do does not make them better if the fitting does not call for them (or even if it does, if your dies do not make them perfect i.e. centered and symetrical they can leak like a sieve).
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
here's a good write up on how NOT to make double flares ( the author does recognize that the flare was not correct, I just wish he would have included a picture of a properly done double flare. Best thing to do is look at a length of premade brakeline at the auto parts store and carefully examine the flare on the end.
http://www.stu-offroad.com/suspensio...etool/ft-2.htm
http://www.stu-offroad.com/suspensio...etool/ft-2.htm
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
From: Hudson, OH
A/t C/l
The radiator has 5/16" inverse flare fittings for the tranny cooling lines. I had assumed this would mean "double" flares. Anyhoo, I got plenty of tubing to practice with. Since in this application there's no high pressure, so I'm sure it doesn't matter that much. Will post some pic's soon of the rad and fan install.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,561
Likes: 1
From: Earth
Originally Posted by jimhackney
The radiator has 5/16" inverse flare fittings for the tranny cooling lines. I had assumed this would mean "double" flares. Anyhoo, I got plenty of tubing to practice with. Since in this application there's no high pressure, so I'm sure it doesn't matter that much. Will post some pic's soon of the rad and fan install.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
From: Hudson, OH
Rad install
Today, drilled attachment holes in the rad flanges, installed the brackets, and then fan to bracket. Wired up the fan, temperature controller, and damned if it doesn't work. Tomorrow with take all apart, paint brackets, install wire clips, and button it up.
The idea about installing the tranny temp gage is now on my mind, will consider. Since I'm not hotrodding, or pulling heavy loads may be a bit of overkill.
Practiced making double flanges, so far none have double flanged. Back to the instruction sheets.
The idea about installing the tranny temp gage is now on my mind, will consider. Since I'm not hotrodding, or pulling heavy loads may be a bit of overkill.
Practiced making double flanges, so far none have double flanged. Back to the instruction sheets.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,190
Likes: 2
From: Riverside, So Cal
Originally Posted by jimhackney
Today, drilled attachment holes in the rad flanges, installed the brackets, and then fan to bracket. Wired up the fan, temperature controller, and damned if it doesn't work. Tomorrow with take all apart, paint brackets, install wire clips, and button it up.
The idea about installing the tranny temp gage is now on my mind, will consider. Since I'm not hotrodding, or pulling heavy loads may be a bit of overkill.
Practiced making double flanges, so far none have double flanged. Back to the instruction sheets.
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,561
Likes: 1
From: Earth
Originally Posted by Randy Jack
You can never have too much information, Jim. Besides, more gages gives the dash that airplane cockpit look. I added an oil temp gage and manual switches to turn the fans on also. More is better.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
From: Hudson, OH
Trans Temp Gauge & Double Flanges
Keep talking guys, you may talk me into it yet. Like the "cockpit" look.
I cut the tube with a cutter that goes around and around, don't know how to get much squarer than that. But, I'm sure its the nut behind the wheel, will keep trying.
I cut the tube with a cutter that goes around and around, don't know how to get much squarer than that. But, I'm sure its the nut behind the wheel, will keep trying.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
Originally Posted by Randy Jack
Dontcha love it when a plan comes together?
You can never have too much information, Jim. Besides, more gages gives the dash that airplane cockpit look. I added an oil temp gage and manual switches to turn the fans on also. More is better.
I have heard that they key here is to make sure that the tube is cutoff square first. Then the flaring turns out right. I haven't tried to double-flare anything myself, tho.
You can never have too much information, Jim. Besides, more gages gives the dash that airplane cockpit look. I added an oil temp gage and manual switches to turn the fans on also. More is better.
I have heard that they key here is to make sure that the tube is cutoff square first. Then the flaring turns out right. I haven't tried to double-flare anything myself, tho.
