Radiator-ectomy gone south

[696969]

This happened when I tried to remove the transmission lines from the radiator. The line got kinked, so I had to bust it off. Still don't know how to unscrew those stubborn plug fittings out. The smaller nut won't turn any more counterclockwise and the big nut just spins. Hmmmm :eusa_wall:

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[HT413]

Torch

 

[wannadrag]

Torch

Just remember tranny fluid burns pretty easy

 

[HT413]

Torch, wet rag and fire extinguisher. Outside.
:campfire: :headbang:

 

[RustyRatRod]

Replace radiator. It's got green funk on it. It's dead. Get a new fitting. Any good hardware store sells them.

 

[RedShadow30]

Just remember tranny fluid burns pretty easy

Lol I have had people tell me to use a torch to unseize a gas line on a carburator.

 

[696969]

Amen brother, that's what I was tryin to do. Gotta take them lines out to get the old rad out.

- - - Updated - - -

Post a pic of that A12 Belvy for me to cheer me up? :sad8:

 

[coloradodave]

Wouldn't worry about the larger compression nut now. If you've got a flare wrench that fits the smaller fitting size, turn it back clockwise a few turns, then shoot it with liquid wrench or another penetrating oil. Tap on the fitting to set up a vibration and then let it sit for a while. Come back and try to turn it clockwise. If no flare wrench, use vise-grips. The fitting is shot anyway. YOU have to believe that it's coming out no matter what. Mind over matter....lol

 

[Meep-Meep]

Which big nut spins? The compression fitting nut or that slim nut against the radiator tank? The fitting is an 1/8" NPT and it appears to be screwed into a bulkhead fitting held in place by that slim nut. If that bulkhead boss is spinning then you probably have a problem with the connection to the internal cooler and that's not good.

 

[tpodwdog]

cut off the bad goofed up lines and leave as much good line on there as ya can. use a small tubing cutter sold at any hardware or plumbing store. get fittings for the radiator with at least a 1 inch nipple on it. get some 5/16" fuel line (neoprene). and hook it back up with small worm clamps.

i just had to do this to my Bevly cleaning up the MESS with the tranny lines the previous owner left me....no problems !

 

[RustyRatRod]

Fuel line will not work for that application. It will swell and burst in no time. He needs power steering return hose......IF he's going to put rubber hose in it. I recommend hard lining it back like it was. Anything else is jerry riggin.

 

[Meep-Meep]

Fuel line will not work for that application. It will swell and burst in no time. He needs power steering return hose......IF he's going to put rubber hose in it. I recommend hard lining it back like it was. Anything else is jerry riggin.

X2!

 

[coloradodave]

Once witnessed a Suburban burn to the ground. The rubber hose connection came loose and sprayed ATF on the exhaust manifolds. There was no putting out the fire and what was left wasn't worth anything. I'm with Rusty and Meep-Meep on the hard lines.

 

[Dako]

If the Line nut is spinning freely, it's more than likely the line itself is simply 'stuck' in the brass fitting and needs a bit of 'english' applied to work it out.

As for the brass fitting, do as Coloradodave mentioned, spray with some lubricant and run it back into the radiator a few turns. You may have to run it in & out a few times to get it to come out.

If it's the big, thin fitting...well I'm not sure that that is intended to come out. I thought that was part of the the radiator. At least I know they come already installed in new radiators.

 

[69redrunner]

If the flare nut spins freely, the connection "should" just pull apart as there is no longer any thread engagement. The large thin nut should be a keeper to hold the trans cooler in place. If the fitting between the two is spinning, I'd say you have a broken trans cooler. That part should be soldered/brazed right ti the cooler (inlet and outlet).

 

[696969]

So you're saying, instead of the steel lines, you substituted them out for neoprene?

 

[Nsane]

Go to any good parts store and they sell trany cooler hose same as powersteering hose i believe. That is one way to repair it there are a lot of Oem cars that run rubber trans cooler Hose to external coolers. Just make sure to use quality hose and clamps.

 

[MarPar]

Ouch. ya i pulled one of those last year myself...

got a piece of hard line, made the two flares, and put a compression fitting in-between the two to mate them...{knocks on wood} hasn't leaked at all!! i did buy new lines, but since i haven't had a problem, i haven't put them on yet..:headbang:

 

[tpodwdog]

So you're saying, instead of the steel lines, you substituted them out for neoprene?

yeah...kinda. im not sure if theyre "neoprene" ..but i told the dude at NAPA that tranny fluid was gonna run thru them and i didnt want no problems. so far so good. no leaks no issues no runs no hits NO ERRORS !. i cut the steel lines about 4 inches away from the radiator ( they were a mangled MESS from the previous owner ).., right in front of the K member...ran them to a tranny cooler..... used good clamps and i dont have a problem with it and dont foresee one either.

 

[wannadrag]

Been using fuel line for tranny coolers for years with no problems.Must be lucky i guess or its just a old wives tale.