Trans fitting size at radiator?
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Trans fitting size at radiator?
I am rebuilding a 1955 F-100 and I've got a mid-80's 302 and AOD from a Lincoln Towncar in it. I was told that a radiator from a 1979 F-150 would fit pretty closely so I bought one from Radiator barn. I'm going to plumb the AOD to an external transcooler so I don't need the one in the radiator.
I want to plug the trans line inlets in the radiator. I've tried 1/8" NPT brass plugs but they don't fit, but they are close. Does anyone know what I need to use to plug the holes? Is it 1/8" flare? Some other size/thread?
I want to plug the trans line inlets in the radiator. I've tried 1/8" NPT brass plugs but they don't fit, but they are close. Does anyone know what I need to use to plug the holes? Is it 1/8" flare? Some other size/thread?
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1/8 - 27 is the same as the 1/8 NPT brass plugs that I have. Since this is a new radiator with that heavy black paint I may have a situation where the threads are blocked with too much paint. I'll pull the radiator and get it on a bench where I can clean things up and try to fit the plugs more carefully.
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Well, I looked it up, and the lamp pipe is 1/8" NPS; so the NPT fittings *should* have fit... I think. Not sure why they don't- my radiator was also new, but the fittings were free of paint; suspect this may just be an issue of varying tolerances. Good luck- and please follow up!
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Ford Parts Specialist
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Uh...I just thought of this...where was that radiator made?
China? The US of A? Or who knows?
Those could be METRIC threads, why the 1/8" fitting doesn't fit.
China? The US of A? Or who knows?
Those could be METRIC threads, why the 1/8" fitting doesn't fit.
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Where it was manufactured doesn't matter for the fitting size. If it was made for an application that had standard fittings it will have standard fittings. Build quality does however matter whose to say the threads didn't get goobered up during manufacturing. Why do you want to plug them? If your using an external cooler then there will be nothing to leak out of there. If its a seal from external elements thing just squirt some black RTV in there, its easy enough to remove later should you need to.
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Thanks for the replies. The box the rad came in said it was made in Thailand. But it is from Radiator Barn and is specified as the rad for a '79 F-150 with a 302 or 351, auto trans and air conditioning. I will be able to get to it either tonight or over the weekend and I'll make sure to follow up.
Oh, and I realize that I could just leave it alone and keep the nifty little red plastic pieces in the holes, but I think the brass plugs would look better. It's all in the details when you are talking about a "toy."
Oh, and I realize that I could just leave it alone and keep the nifty little red plastic pieces in the holes, but I think the brass plugs would look better. It's all in the details when you are talking about a "toy."
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Well, I looked it up, and the lamp pipe is 1/8" NPS; so the NPT fittings *should* have fit... I think. Not sure why they don't- my radiator was also new, but the fittings were free of paint; suspect this may just be an issue of varying tolerances. Good luck- and please follow up!