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Yesterday I replaced the radiator in my truck with a 3 row unit. All is well with the radiator, but now the fitting for one of the the transmission cooling lines is leaking at the coupling thread and my suspicion is that the flare nut and compression joint are toast after this many years. The line itself not in bad shape from a visual inspection, but I figured I might as well update this because it seems to be simple. Here are the questions...
1. I’ve seen folks talk about using brake line tubing to replace it instead of “transmission line”... what’s the difference?
2. I have brass fittings and flare joints, is there any reason why brass fittings shouldn’t be used?
3. Anything I’m missing here on the replacement install? Looks like a simple unthread drain and replace...
Yesterday I replaced the radiator in my truck with a 3 row unit. All is well with the radiator, but now the fitting for one of the the transmission cooling lines is leaking at the coupling thread and my suspicion is that the flare nut and compression joint are toast after this many years. The line itself not in bad shape from a visual inspection, but I figured I might as well update this because it seems to be simple. Here are the questions...
1. I’ve seen folks talk about using brake line tubing to replace it instead of “transmission line”... what’s the difference?
2. I have brass fittings and flare joints, is there any reason why brass fittings shouldn’t be used?
3. Anything I’m missing here on the replacement install? Looks like a simple unthread drain and replace...
thanks again.
1. There is no difference.
2. Brass should be used; I've used them for hydraulic brake lines which run much more pressure with no issues.
3. You could just replace the end of the line and join it to your existing line with a compression union.
Check to see if the flare on the end of the tube has split. If so you might have enough line that you can cut off the split flare and re-flare that end.
Note the top pic.
I took the C-4 out of my truck in October, 2016 to replace the seals, pan gasket and filter. My original transmission lines were pretty bent up so, I made some new lines out of 60" lengths of 5/16" tubing.
I also have a plate type OEM auxiliary transmission oil cooler I installed (somewhere around 2012) from a '92 Ford F150.
@NashvegasMatt
Now would be an easy time to install a tranny cooler if you can. You can see how Ultraranger did his in the last picture. Then you wouldn't have to mess with the lower connections or the rad at all.
@NashvegasMatt
Now would be an easy time to install a tranny cooler if you can. You can see how Ultraranger did his in the last picture. Then you wouldn't have to mess with the lower connections or the rad at all.
I don't have my transmission running through the aux cooler by itself. The aux cooler is plumbed in series with the cooler in the bottom of the radiator. The aux cooler is plumbed after the radiator cooler, on the return line going back to the transmission.
The pressure line from the transmission goes straight into the fitting on radiator. A short (fabricated) line comes off the other port of the radiator to the port on the auxiliary cooler. The line comes off the other port on the aux cooler and returns back to the transmission.
The '92 F150 factory transmission cooler I installed will fit behind a '67-'69 grille with no problem and possibly behind the grille inserts on a '70 model. However, on a '71/'72 model, the grille inserts may be too thick to clear the cooler.
I don't have my transmission running through the aux cooler by itself. The aux cooler is plumbed in series with the cooler in the bottom of the radiator. The aux cooler is plumbed after the radiator cooler, on the return line going back to the transmission.
The pressure line from the transmission goes straight into the fitting on radiator. A short (fabriated) line comes off the other port of the radiator to the port on the auxiliary cooler. The line comes off the other port on the aux cooler and returns back to the transmission.
The '92 F150 factory transmission cooler I installed will fit behind a '67-'69 grille with no problem and possibly behind the grille inserts on a '70 model. However, on a '71/'72 model, the grille inserts may be too thick to clear the cooler.
Sorry I didn't look at the pic close enough. I run mine seperate from the rad cooler, no chance of coolant entry.
Sorry I didn't look at the pic close enough. I run mine seperate from the rad cooler, no chance of coolant entry.
While no coolant in the tranny fluid is valid, I think you ought to re-introduce the radiator's cooler. The "auxiliary" tranny cooler is just that. Tranny oil can get hot enough to cook a tranny. Especially towing and hauling. Even sitting at stop lights with it in drive can warm up the fluid. Mostly by the torque convertor.
I have a large (20"X 12") aux cooler placed in between the grill and the rad. Currently I use the standard fan, but will change to electric later this year, and add a remote tranny filter and temp sensor.
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