i purchased the direct fit version for our cars and well so far i'm not too happy. my power steering hardlines will be right up against the radiator on the drivers side if i don't do something with them so i need to figure out what to do to solve that problem.

the a/n fittings that you have to buy as described above for the tranny cooler lines (auto) are $5 from becool a piece (need 2). they don't go in all the way....at least i haven't without fear of stripping them somehow. this causes the assembly to stick out almost 1/2" further so the stock tranny cooler lines are also hard to line up. i did put teflon tape on them, should i not have done this?

what about the hardlines.....? anyone else have one of these with this problem??

 

You could ditch the hard lines. All those are is that long return tube that runs in front of the radiator. I suppose this was GM's idea of a power steering cooler. You could instead run some fabric braided or steel braided lines to a true PS cooler.

This is probably what I'll do should I run into any problems with the Universal Parts radiator. In fact, it's something I'll probably do anyway since these cars like to boil the PS fluid on track days.

For the tranny lines, you should be able to bend them slightly without causing any kinks and they'll line up better. Or, what I'm planning to do is bypass the radiator cooler altogether and run 2 Hayden external coolers in series.

 

I'm running a T-56 so I can't help you with the tranny cooler lines, but I did run into some clearance issues with the stock power steering cooler and my "custom fit" Be-Cool radiator. The issues were magnified when I installed my LT-1 cooling fans. I just re-bent the power steering hardlines to clear what they needed to clear. It didn't really become that big of an issue for me. I would think you could just "tweak" the hardlines a bit to get the clearance you need, it shouldn't be a big issue.

There are several pictures from the fan install here: http://students.vassar.edu/paphillip...ix/faninstall/

I don't know if any of the pics are very good of the power steering lines, but feel free to take a look at the pics and see if they help. Good luck, I've been very happy with my Be-Cool!!

-Paul

 

good looking out guys!

so you don't think the lines will be hurt by some slight tweaking. i figured for the power steering i'll disconnect the main one and just bend it slightly with a pipe bender just so that i don't collapse it any. i figure i can do the same for the tranny cooler lines.

i would add just an external cooler setup but since the radiator has it i might as well use it.

thanks again and if anyone else has any suggestions please let me know, going to try and wrap it up tomorrow i hope! i hate projects that last longer then they should.

 

Sounds like you got everyting figured out. As far as I know, you dont need teflon tape on flared fittings, the flares make the seal, not the threads.

 

I had the same problem with the power steering lines. Tweaking them with a tubing bender gave me enough clearence. I am running an aux. trans. cooler and flexable oil lines, this eliminated fitting problems with the trans cooler in the rad.

 

thanks guys, so you don't think i need the tape though?

 

Nothing on the flare theads, except maybe a drop of oil.

The pipe threads, where the adapter goes into the radiator, you should use something. I prefer PTFE paste over tape -- if you use tape, don't wrap the bottom few theads, so you don't chance having a scrap of tape wind up in your transmission valve body.

As far as the PS cooler lines, like everyone else, I had to rework mine a little bit, but it wasn't any big deal.

With the stock dual fans, I had to add a few spacers to the fan mounting screws as well, to keep the fan blades from hitting the radiator itself.

 

what in the hell did you guys do with this part? i can't find the proper fitting anywhere as i've spent all day going to every shop possible from hardware to autoparts with no luck at all.

 

Gotta love stupid clerks....

You need a 1/2 NPT-to-3/4" hose barb fitting. (or 1/2NPT to whatever size heater hose you're using...)

Any decent hardware store should have one in brass.

Any decent auto parts store should have them in steel. (i.e. SBC water pump hose fittings, often can be found in the "Help" section in either 3/4 or 5/8 hose size.)

Earls, or any of the performance or aircraft plumbing vendors, should have them in aluminum. IMHO, this is the best choice, not only for the light weight, but it expands at the same rate as the radiator, which makes it less likely to leak. I doubt you'll find the aluminum ones locally, though.

 

Here's a picture of all three types I mentioned.

 

which is what i thought as well....none in the help section at any major auto parts store in my area and zero at any hardware store lowes/homedepot.

someone somewhere just didn't want me to get the car running for the cruise tomorrow.

i couldn't believe it was this hard to find that fitting, something they should have included or at least warned when i picked up the radiator. although i suppose it's my own fault for waiting to do it as the last piece but it happens.

so as far as the size your talking about do you have one of these radiators and know that's what it is? it would make sense and i appreciate the insight all the same.

my problem was the whole measures out to what looks like 3/4" but a 3/4" brass fitting does not fit as it's too big, 1/2" seems too small??

 

I've had a Be Cool rad in my '83 for a few years now. Trust me, it'll be worth it once you get the last few details sorted out.

Pipe thread can be kind of confusing -- 1/2 NPT isn't 1/2" in diameter, it's more like .830" OD. The pic you posted of your rad looks exactly like mine, and I'm certain mine has 1/2 NPT threads.
The only thing I'm not positive about, is the stock return hose size. I'm pretty sure it's 3/4" hose on a stock TPI -- but my car wasn't originally TPI, and I've got things plumbed in my own way, which is why I wanted you to be sure to verify your hose diameter.

An option, if you can't find any hose fittings, would be to install a 1/2NPT pipe plug in the rad, and a rubber cap on the heater core, or another pipe plug in the intake manifold. That would get you by until you have time to locate a proper fitting.

Still, I can't believe you weren't able to find one. Guess it's the kind of thing that's never a problem, until you need one. Last time I was in an auto parts place, I even saw them in chrome, in the dress-up section.

A couple of years ago, I spend about $60 at an industrial supply place, and stocked up on a bunch of pipe fittings, bushings, hose barbs, plugs, etc. Tried to get at least one of everything that could possibly be of use under the hood of a car. I've never regretted doing that -- it's saved me a bunch of time running around to stores looking for stuff. Also comes in handy when you're trying to figure out if an arrangement will work, or not. (not that my telling you all this does you any good at the moment, unfortunately )

Good luck!

 

Yeah I seem to remember that fitting being 1/2" NPT on my Be Cool. I ended up just plugging it since I'm running a v-belt setup and have the heater hose connected to the water pump instead of the radiator. I did get some 1/2" NPT nipples that I used in the water pump and intake manifold and I found them quite easily. That sucks that you can't find them around where you are. Like the others have said though, once you get through the aggrivation of the install you'll be happy with the radiator. Good luck!!

-Paul

 

well the id of the hose measures 3/4" on the inside so you think a 1/2" npt with 3/4" nipple will work? just seems so small but i'll try it....


thanks alot guys as i really appreciate and the picture help out too, not sure why i can't find the fittings but all my specialty stores are closed til monday so i was trying to get the car ready for this weekend...o'well. thanks!