trans fluid to radiator fitting
 

I'm getting very close now to installing my Champion CC369 but can't seem to find the correct fittings for the tranny cooler built into it.

In the documentation for this, the fittings for the radiator lines are described as:
.....
.....1/2" 20 STRAIGHT THREAD G1/4
.....

I ordered what I though should work from summit but what I got looks more like the fittings that would screw into the 700r4 tranny, not the radiator. My old 4 core copper/brass radiator had the lines connected via two small brass fittings that made the connection from the line to the radiator. These fittings will screw into my new Champion radiator but they aren't going to make a seal as the threads do not really mesh very well and the fitting is loose once threaded in there ( like the threads are incompatible ).

What is the fitting I need for this radiator? In the pics below I'm showing the lines from the tranny and the brass fittings I have that will connect to the lines but don't really connect properly to my new radiator.

Appreciate any help you guys can offer here. Thanks,

-klb

Re: trans fluid to radiator fitting
 

According to this document:

http://fuelab.com/understanding-fuel...apered-thread/

What I need is a "port-fitting" or one that has straight thread on one end ( sealed with an O-ring ) that goes into the radiator and the cone end has straight thread and a 37 degree cone to go into the line.

If that is correct, the brass fittings I have ( the ones I took off the old radiator ) are incorrect as they do not seal with an O-ring against the radiator bung/boss.

Looks like the "1/2" 20 STRAIGHT THREAD G1/4" is the standard definition of an in-radiator tranny cooler connection.

Can you guys point me in the right direction? I don't want to replace my lines because I can't get a fitting to attach them to my new radiator.

What gives?

-klb

Re: trans fluid to radiator fitting
 

Just called Champion Radiator/LeadFoot Racing at their support line: 714 974 1650, with simple question about what do I need to use to get the tranny lines hooked up.

The guy that answered the phone, claiming to be the owner of the company, totally blew me off like I'm some idiot.

Wow! The guy doesn't even know what standard fitting I need?

Anybody?

-klb

Re: trans fluid to radiator fitting
 

I would call the guy back, explain that unless you assist me in correct part to use your product, I will have to let everyone on the internet know about your total lack of customer support....:metal:

Re: trans fluid to radiator fitting
 

Do you have a Thread pitch gage?
https://www.lowes.com/pd/IRWIN-Stand...ools-_-1000357

With a pitch gage in hand maybe the local parts stores could help.

Re: trans fluid to radiator fitting
 

The guy, turns out, is a re-seller rather than the manufacturer. Still...

Looking down in the hole in the radiator, I see that there is a flare down in there ( inverted flare? ). The fitting I took off my old radiator has the corresponding flare to match that but the threads are incompatible.

This is the key:

1/2" 20 STRAIGHT THREAD G1/4

I think this means:

1/2": the bung size in the radiator for the tranny cooler
20: thread count or something to describe the threads
STRAIGHT THREAD: parallel rather than tapered thread
G1/4: again, describing the threads here I think?

However, nothing describes the properties of the flare and how to match up a fitting with it so that it seals properly.

I don't know if the fitting needs to seal at the threads, at the flare or with an O-ring.

This is not rocket science methinks. There are millions of these fittings in use right now. Surely somebody can make sense out of the above to help me determine what I need.

Thanks,

-klb

Re: trans fluid to radiator fitting
 

Unfortunately no. All the parts counters around me are useless unless and until you give Year, Make and Model and are looking for something they have on their computer screen.

Re: trans fluid to radiator fitting
 

I replaced my stock radiator with a Summit-sourced one that was supposed to be factory correct. It looked the part, and I guess it was factory-fitting correct too, because the factory transmission lines threaded in perfectly and have never leaked. As I recall, they were brass with a tapered seat, similar to what you have in your photos. No experience with the "straight thread, no cone, o-ring" setup you're apparently needing.

If the guys who made/sold you the radiator can't tell you what to get and where to get it, maybe they should receive their radiator back. That seems like a major breakdown in basic customer service to me.

EDIT: You posted the same time as me. Well, okay, that guy was a reseller. He should still know this, or be able to find out. Or, you could call the manufacturer direct.

I think you're on the money with the description - 1/2" x 20 is very straightforward, straight thread sounds to me like they're specifically saying no NPT fittings, and I have no idea on the G1/4. Never seen that before.

Re: trans fluid to radiator fitting
 

I have 2 champion cc369 radiators, one in a truck with a th400, the other with a th350. I just reused the brass fittings that were in my oem radiators and have had no issues.

Re: trans fluid to radiator fitting
 

Sorry
I forgot about that.
There is only a couple around here that are ok to visit.
Like joey said I think a regular line would work.


Attachment 1817082

Re: trans fluid to radiator fitting
 

1/2" 20 STRAIGHT THREAD G1/4 describes a standard hydraulic hose fitting...see link below...


https://www.grainger.com/product/16P...180901190426:s

:chevy::chevy::chevy:

Re: trans fluid to radiator fitting
 

The brass fitting I have threads nicely into the old radiator's female port, nice and tight fitting threads like I expect. The same fitting does not "fit" into the aluminum radiator's female port the same. It will screw in and not allow to be pulled straight out, but it feels like the fitting is too small in diameter to fit properly. See pics. The threads are different between the two radiators.

Re: trans fluid to radiator fitting
 

Just gave "Leadfoot Racing" a blast...not only on this one, but several other instances I have had issue with over past few weeks...

told them to get the lead out...hahaha

"1/2" 20 STRAIGHT THREAD G1/4 is recommended as the fitting for the auto trans cooling lines in several of your radiators....perhaps it would be a good business idea for you to actually stock these fittings in house so your clients don't have to search for weeks to find a fitting....even calling your supposed help line resulted in a "we dont know" response....Graingers stock these as standard hydraulic hose fittings...
https://www.grainger.com/product/16P...180901190426:s

Maybe get the lead out and get some knowledgeable customer service reps...."

:chevy::chevy::chevy::gmc2::gmc2::gmc2:

Re: trans fluid to radiator fitting
 

I definitely hear what you're saying about the threads being different. And I'm definitely not saying the factory fittings should be used with the new radiator (I think Getter may have gotten me confused with LeddZepp).

If I were you, I'd use a precision caliper to measure the bore, a thread gauge to measure the TPI, and see if I could research an adaptor fitting that used those measurements while also being compatible to the factory fitting on the other end. Essentially, a brass plug that turns the aluminum radiator's fitting into the one you need for the tranny lines.

Re: trans fluid to radiator fitting
 

weq...click the link on my previous post...

These bungs are designed for standard hydraulic fitting that seal with an O ring...

Here is the link again

https://www.grainger.com/product/16P...180901190426:s

Re: trans fluid to radiator fitting
 

Oh, nice! An adaptor - just male/male, not male/female as I was suggesting. For future reference, you know for certain that smaller male side is compatible with the tranny line fitting?

Re: trans fluid to radiator fitting
 

That particular one seals with an O-ring. I'm leaning toward thinking this should seal with the flare so that the 1/2" 20 fitting contains a flare that will sit down on the inverted flare down inside the radiator, making the seal.

The other end of the fitting needs to be exactly what I have to match up to the fitting on the end of my lines.

Not sure how to go about measuring it to duplicate but I'll likely need the tool mentioned earlier.


-klb

Re: trans fluid to radiator fitting
 

If you want you could simply put a flare seat in the O ring flat end with a suitably sized drill bit...a 3/8 countersink comes to mind...

but seriously,

the flare inside the radiator is factory made in case the auto manufacturer wants to place a pipe with an inverted flare direct into the radiator...

The bung is flat to seal against the hydraulic seat on the fitting...Graingers have them, as to Earls Plumbing etc...

If you have a decent speed shop...not a parts store...near you I would give them a try.

I have ten here as I use them all the time on projects...

:chevy::chevy::chevy:

Re: trans fluid to radiator fitting
 

Yes.

Thanks,

Re: trans fluid to radiator fitting
 

Summit Racing also carry a suitable fitting under

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/ear-940006erlp

Its an Earls product, sold as a pair...

These use a flat crushable washer instead of an O ring...

Work well as pressures well under 100 PSI in clloer circuits, even if you use lock up convertor...

Now back to assembling my new trans...6L80E...to go behind my 6.0....

:chevy::chevy::chevy:

Re: trans fluid to radiator fitting
 

I purchased these EAR-940006 fittings for 20 bucks thinking they were what I needed. But alas, no. I have them right here and they do not screw into this radiator.

-klb

Re: trans fluid to radiator fitting
 

I asked this guy a question once before about the fans that came with the radiator ( something his company does make and market ). I wanted to purchase a pigtail with the standard plug for my harness to nicely finish off the fan wiring rather than just have raw leads coming out of the fans.

He told me he sells them as part of his relay kit. That was it. No offer to help in any way other than to say basically if I'd bought his relay kit, I'd have gotten those pig tails. Whatever, I found them elsewhere.

Guess I'll still recommend Champion products, but not LeadFoot.

-klb

Re: trans fluid to radiator fitting
 

Was this a special build radiator?

What is the part number on the radiator...?

I have two CC 369 rads here in projects and both accepted the Earls fittings....snug and no leaks...

Beginning to believe this radiator is not marked correctly...

Do you have a good hardware store near you ?

Go buy yourself a 1/2" 20 TPI bolt...it should screw directly into the radiator bung...

If its as loose as the fitting is... send the radiator back to the seller and find another source...

Not a plug...but old jeggy always looks after me

https://www.jegs.com/i/Champion-Cool...CC369/10002/-1

Have them send you the fittings as well....

:chevy::chevy::chevy:

Re: trans fluid to radiator fitting
 

Here's the Earls part quoted above that I already ordered. It's definitely not 1/2" 20 threads ( either the Earls part that I bought or the radiator bung in the aluminum radiator ) because the Earls piece doesn't screw in there.

Re: trans fluid to radiator fitting
 

Oh also.... The Earls part will not screw into either radiator's ports.

Re: trans fluid to radiator fitting
 

I just checked Earls Tech Site...

Those fittings are 6 AN meaning they are 9/16" 18 TPI

Not 1/2" 20 TPI ( which is technically 5 AN thread size...)

Radiator needs 1/2" 20....The Grainger fitting I listed is the one I use all the time

(BTW...these 1/2" 20 are a very common size in the hydraulic industry)

Check out the Grainger listing specs..

:chevy::chevy::chevy:

Re: trans fluid to radiator fitting
 

This is what I need. Just don't know yet how to measure properly the female radiator port. I can measure ID ( It's over 1/2" just barely ) and then get the thread tool to measure the TPI. But, that doesn't tell me what "brand" threads those are, whether American, British, etc and/or what type of seal is required. Maybe the thread tool will discern those things?

Guess I'm off to Lowes or someplace to find that tool.

Thanks,

Re: trans fluid to radiator fitting
 

A thread pitch gauge is handy to have around, for sure.

But it sounds like Aussie is onto something - I'd check out the 5 AN fitting he's linking to on Grainger, see if the other end fits your line fittings.

Re: trans fluid to radiator fitting
 

I have no idea what I have because both radiators should have standard ports for these lines.

I was just pointing out that the fittings suggested a few posts back by Aussie were definitely not correct as I had already purchased them and confirmed they would not work ( Earls ) some weeks ago. Here's the link from his post:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/ear-940006erlp, which are the same parts I once thought I needed too. Obviously not.

I need to measure this radiator port, actually both radiators, to determine why my original fitting doesn't work, then attempt to find a fitting that does. This should be easy.

-klb

Re: trans fluid to radiator fitting
 

If you are Lowes, grab a 1/2" 20 bolt and try it in the radiator....

The thread count per inch is listed by the manufacturer as 20...thats where the 1/2" 20 comes from in the listing

1/2" diameter
20 TPI

The standard hydraulic flare angle is 37 degrees...Parker fittings make some that are 30/37....mainly for aircraft use....

If you want to do some reading on AN vs standard flare...see....

http://blog.parker.com/an-37-flare-v...the-difference

I checked with a tech guy at Jegs that I know well...

The Earls fitting listed and what you purchased goes into the transmission itself....not the radiator....he told me they should update the text of the part description to reflect that...

He also said that most folk now dont use the radiator cooler at all...they close off the bungs with plugs and run external coolers.....

If the project I was working on was high horsepower, that's the way I would also go...

The current projects are both "stockers"...around 350 / 350...both early 350's...

:chevy::chevy::chevy:

Went to two auto parts stores looking for a bbc timing tab. Neither had it in stock and both struggled hard to identify what I was after exactly.

Anyway while there I us d their bolt size tool to confirm my brass adapter is 1/2 20. Both ends of it.

I picked up a 1/2 20 bolt at Lowe’s. When I’m finished with this I’ll test it all n the radiator
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: trans fluid to radiator fitting
 

That looks so yummy....!!!

Try that bolt in the radiator....I still think the radiator is the wrong one or has been specially built and stocked wrong....

I use the 1/2 20 fittings from Grainger and have never had an issue....

Have a great night


:chevy::chevy::chevy:

Re: trans fluid to radiator fitting
 

OK, well, I got the bolt: SAE 1/2-20 about 2 inches long.

It bolts into the old radiator just like the brass fitting.

However, it does not bolt correctly into either radiator bung on the new aluminum rad. It'll bolt into there but it's loosey goosey like I can wiggle the bolt around. Just like the brass fitting feels bolted in there.

This is not 1/2-20 threads.

So now I'm going to have to go back to the manufacturer and have them either identify what I have thread wise so I can make it work OR send me a new radiator that is correct.

Any ideas what thread this might be?

-klb

Re: trans fluid to radiator fitting
 

Contacted a local speed shop. It seems they will indeed have a look at helping me out with this issue if necessary!

This picture was on their page, on of many 67-72 examples...

Re: trans fluid to radiator fitting
 

It's probably metric. COULD be a 13MM something or other pitch. If you can't find an English Engineering Units fastener to thread into it, they may have sold you the wrong adapters, welded in. Looks like you may have a source for resolution. Good luck with it!

Re: trans fluid to radiator fitting
 

they should be 1/2" x 20 inverted flare, as in a 45 degree flair, like a fuel or brake line, you can most times use a off the shelf 5/16 brake line that already has the fittings on them at oreillys for your transmission cooler line. i just installed a champion radiator in a c-10 and did this. i have seen some champion radiators that didn't use the inverted flair, those will use an adapter that has 1/4 npt fittings to 1/2 inverted female. yours should be 1/2 x 20 inverted male looking
at that pics you posted...

Re: trans fluid to radiator fitting
 

I believe in one of my first threads I suggested you go to Lowes and buy a 1/2" 20 bolt to verify the threads were as listed...obviously this radiator is a special build thta has probably been sold to multiple poor souls.


Call the seller and send it back...even if you have to pay the freight...

Then go to a reputable supplier and buy it, along with the fittings you need from the same vendor.....if they cant supply you the fittings...call Champion Cooling and demand an explanation !

I have always had excellent service from Jegs...but others like Summit etc also know the value of good customer relations.

Re: trans fluid to radiator fitting
 

G1/4 is a metric thread designation and is the same as BSPP = British Standard Parallel Pipe Thread.

I think what you need is a fitting with male G1/4 on one side (goes in the radiator) and male 1/2-20 on the other side (trans hose attaches to).

Re: trans fluid to radiator fitting
 

a 1/2" bolt is not the same , it will be loose.

Re: trans fluid to radiator fitting
 

Turns out 1/2" 20 is the standard thread for tranny cooler connections to the radiator and indeed a 1/2" 20 bolt will screw in there just like you'd expect. It's not loose. I confirmed this myself. The aluminum radiator bungs however are not 1/2" 20 and so the bolt in question is very loose when screwed in there!

-klb