Stripped out tranny cooler lines in new rad... :(

[weever82]

Put in my new Champion (MC369) radiator a few months back and has been cooling and running great but my new transmission cooler lines were too close to my vintage air pulley and decided to pull them out to "bend" the lines a little bit. Un did the top cooler line to bend it and when I went to put it back into the radiator it stripped out the threads on the radiator. Sheared off that cheap lightweight alluminum like it was plastic.... Pulled out the radiator today and is almost smooth in there!... anyways...anyone use a helicoil or something to fix the problem without buying another radiator.

Also, if I do indeed need another one... Such thing as brass fittings where the lines go into the radiator instead of just alluminum?

Thanks for reading guys.

[67swb72klb]

you could just use a aux trans cooler
i dont think there is a fix for a flair fitting in your case

[JCD]

Standard thread size on a trans line radiator seems to be 5/16 inverted flare, -5 AN.
You may try and run a 5/16 -5 AN tap into it to clean up the threads..

If that won't give you enough thread to grab the line nut, tap the radiator with the next size up bottoming tap, -6 AN and get/make yourself an adapter..

Here's a good place to start for an adapter fitting, they may be able to suggest a fitting and tap you can use.

http://www.summitracing.com/search/d...apter-fittings

J.

[MARKDTN]

Take it to a radiator shop and have them swap the cooler out.

[Fitz]

Originally Posted by weever82

Put in my new Champion (MC369) radiator a few months back and has been cooling and running great but my new transmission cooler lines were too close to my vintage air pulley and decided to pull them out to "bend" the lines a little bit. Un did the top cooler line to bend it and when I went to put it back into the radiator it stripped out the threads on the radiator. Sheared off that cheap lightweight alluminum like it was plastic.... Pulled out the radiator today and is almost smooth in there!... anyways...anyone use a helicoil or something to fix the problem without buying another radiator.

Also, if I do indeed need another one... Such thing as brass fittings where the lines go into the radiator instead of just alluminum?

Thanks for reading guys.

Take it to a welding shop that can weld aluminum. They can weld a new bung in the rad and tap it for the thread size you need.

[calvin78612]

Same thing happened to my champion,just run an external cooler.

[BlackedOut67shorty]

You shouldnt just run a tranny cooler alone, get it fixed at a rad shop.
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[67swb72klb]

Originally Posted by calvin78612

Same thing happened to my champion,just run an external cooler.

I may be wrong but i have been told that an external cooler will take more heat out of your trans (if it is the rite size)

[motorcritter]

If you're going to use an auxiliary trans cooler- go big or multiple, and use a thermostat In the line- the radiator helps maintain a consistent temperature (helps with operation and efficiency), an external cooler may not have as good a heat transfer ability, and external temps can affect the fluid temp.
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[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by motorcritter

If you're going to use an auxiliary trans cooler- go big or multiple, and use a thermostat In the line- the radiator helps maintain a consistent temperature (helps with operation and efficiency), an external cooler may not have as good a heat transfer ability, and external temps can affect the fluid temp.
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X2. Heat is transferred far more efficiently with liquid than air. Living in AZ there is no way I would just run an auxiliary cooler only.
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[calvin78612]

I've had no problems with mine in the Texas heat.
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[MARKDTN]

Originally Posted by motorcritter

If you're going to use an auxiliary trans cooler- go big or multiple, and use a thermostat In the line- the radiator helps maintain a consistent temperature (helps with operation and efficiency), an external cooler may not have as good a heat transfer ability, and external temps can affect the fluid temp.
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x3. Be careful with towing/hauling with only an external.

[garykirby25]

Did the same thing, pain in the butt, but can be fixed. Get new bung and had a welder put it in. I think I was out 60 dollars.

[weever82]

Really appreciate all the replies! Going to call around for a few welding shops and see what they say. I called a few old school radiator shops and they told me I was S.O.L. But I think they were just trying to sell me a new one.
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[scott-wisc]

The last time I messed with a auto transmission, I used a Summit Racing tranny cooler alone and it ran cool. Install a temp gauge, then you'll know if everything is working correctly.

[Longhorn 70]

warranty???

[magwakeenercew2jh]

I have the same brand radiator. I'm happy with it.

Except.....The trans cooler circuit had a leak. I didn't blame Champion...Maybe I tweeked it on assy. I don't think so, though.

But, that and the others' responses suggest that there may be a weakness in this otherwise good product (the Champions).

Since I didn't want to take the out radiator, electric fans (3), and condenser , I just bought what was supposed to be a good trans cooler
and plumbed it with big, fat lines.

Other responders know more than I do. But I've run external coolers on everything. And, I live in what is sometimes 100 + degree heat
most of the summer months....But that's just me. I don't drive a lot. And I watch the levels and temps over all...so......????

Here it is just back from paint (bumper's off and the pinstripe is P-Shop..best pic I had of the cooler)

[JonnyC10]

I just installed a Champion radiator today and same thing happened. I installed the trans lines and thought I had them tight enough. Started it up and they started leaking. Put a wrench on them to tighten them up and they are just spinning now and not getting tight. A buddy gave me a new trans cooler he had laying around so I guess Ill install it and bypass the radiator. I wont be driving the truck in the winter so I dont anticipate any problems. They seller told me I could send it back for an exchange but this is the second radiator as the first one didn't fit. And I have this one all filled with new coolant and mounted up. Its always one thing after another.

[sstaten69]

I have a trans cooler on my 68 chevelle do to the one in the rad stripped out and lived in Vegas for 18 years before moving to the show me state and it is still doing just fine.

[68C15]

I've never heard of "champion" radiators. Is that a local brand?

Mine has an external only. Actually a large one of stacked plate design not the snaking tube type. It's worked very good for many, many years of hard work

[magwakeenercew2jh]

Originally Posted by 68C15

I've never heard of "champion" radiators. Is that a local brand?

Mine has an external only. Actually a large one of stacked plate design not the snaking tube type. It's worked very good for many, many years of hard work

I think they have been all around for a while. Two and three "row"...maybe even bigger... I have one, but this isn't necessarily an endorsement. See below. But my truck stays cool...

http://tinyurl.com/m3gyvd4

[kxmotox247]

Is it possibly to drill out the fittings for 1/4" NPT pipe threads? Then possibly buy adapter fittings to go back to your trans cooler size fittings?

[Brave71]

I just stripped the threads on my new champion ! Do they make an aluminum fitting that could be welded in? Don't think there is enough room to tap it

[jammer3096]

I bought a champion radiator 2 row about a year and a half ago and the same thing happened to me the threads came out from the where the trans cooling lines hook up. I called the company that sells them for champion radiators and they said they will fix it I just have to pay for shipping to them which I am willing to do. anyone with a champion radiator that has problems with them might just want to try to get them warranty out.

[mechanicalman]

Originally Posted by kxmotox247

Is it possibly to drill out the fittings for 1/4" NPT pipe threads? Then possibly buy adapter fittings to go back to your trans cooler size fittings?

I'm assuming the aluminum radiators have the coolers welded in so they use an aluminum fitting?

I like that idea, the pipe fittings would not tend to strip as they tighten as you tighten them.

Hmm....what about the fittings on the trans cases themselves? Research indicates TH350 are usually a female 1/4"-18 NPSM (National Pipe Straight Mechanical (NPSM)). Research indicates that a 1/4"-18 NPT tap can be used, but care to be taken to thread it deep enough and not overtighten/crack part you are putting it in; you would use double wrenches to not back it out of the radiator tank.


I'd install these and use JB weld on the threads then you would have a permanent brass fitting to screw the lines in like the brass radiators had.

Don't forget to clean all the metal chips out of the cooler if you do a repair like this.