Tranny Cooler Help...Ok I'm Plumbing Challenged...

steve_stang2003 · Jun 27, 2008

I'm installing a B&M tranny cooler and have read all the posts regarding the fact that the kit (nor the Ford kit, same part BTW) comes with the all the proper fittings.

So I figured out the barb fitting that goes into the radiator ok but now I am stumped.

I purchased some couplers and barbs and I think I have the right sizes however there is a problem.

If you look carefully at the picture I posted you can see that the threads on the compression fitting don't go all the way down to the end.

This is causing a problem where I can't screw the line into any of the couplings or NPT-->Barb thingies I have....
I have a coupling that the barb fitting you see already screwed into the radiator will screw into however the fact that the threads don't go to the end of the line prevents the line from screwing into the coupling.

So EXACTLY what do I need and where can I get it, to make this work?

Please be specific because I don't know a pipe thread from an NPT from etc.

Not that I don't know plumbing, but the stuff I've worked on usually screws toghether fine.....Hahahha!

I'd rather not cut the line if I don't have to.

Thanks so much in advance.

Stark77 · Jun 27, 2008

+1 , I need to install one of these as well for the auto

CobraRed_96_GT · Jun 27, 2008

Yes, i remember this exact problem. I had to just buy a lot of fittings until one would work. I'm sorry that i don't remember quite which one it is. But i bought a hefty ass right angle brass fitting that worked since i found a deep nut/fitting that could fit onto the stock part.
So i got the deep threaded fitting that plugged into a right angle brass fitting that connected to a nipple fitting thus pointing the nipple downwards to where my cooler went - since i cut the stock heat exchanger out of the mix all together.
And i think it goes to my cooler first, then pumps all the way up to that fitting then back down to the tranny cuz ford has it routed that way for some reason. I have no pics right now cuz my car's not here - i'm in the process of replacing all the cam followers, but here's a vid that shows that top part:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ebBbzkT-93s

steve_stang2003 · Jun 27, 2008

CobraRed_96_GT said:
Yes, i remember this exact problem. I had to just buy a lot of fittings until one would work. I'm sorry that i don't remember quite which one it is. But i bought a hefty ass right angle brass fitting that worked since i found a deep nut/fitting that could fit onto the stock part.
So i got the deep threaded fitting that plugged into a right angle brass fitting that connected to a nipple fitting thus pointing the nipple downwards to where my cooler went - since i cut the stock heat exchanger out of the mix all together.
And i think it goes to my cooler first, then pumps all the way up to that fitting then back down to the tranny cuz ford has it routed that way for some reason. I have no pics right now cuz my car's not here - i'm in the process of replacing all the cam followers, but here's a vid that shows that top part:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ebBbzkT-93s

Yea, the big problem is that the threads don't extend all the way down the fitting so it won't screw in...

With all the cars I have worked on I have never seen anything quite like this.
The GM and Chrysler coolers I installed just hooked up with no troubles.

CobraRed_96_GT · Jun 27, 2008

steve_stang2003 said:
Yea, the big problem is that the threads don't extend all the way down the fitting so it won't screw in...

With all the cars I have worked on I have never seen anything quite like this.
The GM and Chrysler coolers I installed just hooked up with no troubles.

Yeah, you need a deep fitting for sure. I found one in the garage - but then that wouldn't mate up to the nipple, or point the right direction. Had to go buy that brass right angle

03ghoststang · Jun 27, 2008

Here you go i did this when i had my GT

http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=615808

steve_stang2003 · Jun 28, 2008

03ghoststang said:
Here you go i did this when i had my GT

http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=615808

Actually that's the article I followed to install the cooler!
Great write up BTW.

Was your tranny line cooler fitting tapped to the end of the fitting?
If you look carefully at my pic, you can see that the threads don't start until about a 1/8th of an inch in and that is what is causing my problem.

I have a several couplings, one of which fits the barb i have screwed into the radiator itself so i know the thread size is the same, but I can't get the tranny line to screw into the coupling because of the thread problem.

What kind of 1/4 inch coupling did you use to overcome that problem?

TIA

speed545 · Jun 28, 2008

steve_stang2003 said:
I'd rather not cut the line if I don't have to.

That s what i did and flaired it.

Been there for 4 years and no leaks

steve_stang2003 · Jun 28, 2008

speed545 said:
That s what i did and flaired it.

Been there for 4 years and no leaks

I'm starting to wonder if Ford used several different varities of fittings on the tranny lines.

Did your line have the threads starting about 1/8 inch back from the end of the tube?
That's my problem because the tube won't fit into any of the couplings I have been able to find.

If I end up cutting it i think I'll just cut it down the tube, leave the original fitting on the radiator and splice the hose from the cooler into the tubing.

I'm off to Home Depot to see if I can locate a coupling.

speed545 · Jun 28, 2008

steve_stang2003 said:
I'm starting to wonder if Ford used several different varities of fittings on the tranny lines.

Did your line have the threads starting about 1/8 inch back from the end of the tube?
That's my problem because the tube won't fit into any of the couplings I have been able to find.

If I end up cutting it i think I'll just cut it down the tube, leave the original fitting on the radiator and splice the hose from the cooler into the tubing.

I'm off to Home Depot to see if I can locate a coupling.

Could not tell about where the threads start, been a while but i did reconnect OEM and cut it down to match the flex from the cooler

03ghoststang · Jun 28, 2008

steve_stang2003 said:
Actually that's the article I followed to install the cooler!
Great write up BTW.

Was your tranny line cooler fitting tapped to the end of the fitting?
If you look carefully at my pic, you can see that the threads don't start until about a 1/8th of an inch in and that is what is causing my problem.

I have a several couplings, one of which fits the barb i have screwed into the radiator itself so i know the thread size is the same, but I can't get the tranny line to screw into the coupling because of the thread problem.

What kind of 1/4 inch coupling did you use to overcome that problem?

TIA

i got the female coupling form home depot which is a normal 1/4" coupling, As i recall it only wnet in a few threads but as i screwed in the other fitting with the barb it held everything securely after that i just snugged everything a bit more

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