-AN fittings size for trans coolers

[makoshark]

Anyone here familiar with -an fittings. I'm sure they are. Please chime in. On my B&M trans cooler, I can only engage 3 threads of the 1/2" NPT to -6an fitting. That is only hand tight. Will they tighten up more with a wrench and not damage anything? Also, the trans cooler on the radiator is only allowing me to engage 1 thread of the 1/4" to -6an fitting, again only by hand. Will it too tighten up more with a wrench? Or do I need to go to a different size fittings for the trans coolers? The B&M cooler is too large, though, for a 3/8 NPT fitting. Already tried. I don't have an 1/8" npt fitting here to check the cooler on the radiator.

Also, I can't remember, which line on the steering box is the pressure line and the return line? The one closest to the firewall or furthest from it?

[GregWeld]

Anyone here familiar with -an fittings. I'm sure they are. Please chime in. On my B&M trans cooler, I can only engage 3 threads of the 1/2" NPT to -6an fitting. That is only hand tight. Will they tighten up more with a wrench and not damage anything? Also, the trans cooler on the radiator is only allowing me to engage 1 thread of the 1/4" to -6an fitting, again only by hand. Will it too tighten up more with a wrench? Or do I need to go to a different size fittings for the trans coolers? The B&M cooler is too large, though, for a 3/8 NPT fitting. Already tried. I don't have an 1/8" npt fitting here to check the cooler on the radiator.

Also, I can't remember, which line on the steering box is the pressure line and the return line? The one closest to the firewall or furthest from it?


A couple things come to mind -- #1 never try to put two fittings together without some kind of teflon sealant. I prefer the "liquid" paste over the tape...

These fittings will GALL and you might put them together - but coming apart you'll strip out every thread and the part will be unusable.

If you can only engage one thread -- you have a thread mis-match there somewhere...

PIPE THREAD DIAMETER = measure the diameter -- and DEDUCT 1/4" -- so a 1/2 Pipe will measure 3/4" -- minus the 1/4 brings you to "1/2 pipe"...

If the diameter is 3/8" -- then the size is called 1/8 and so on.

The threads in the radiator might be for a double flare fitting... so look inside the "hole" and see if there is just a hole -- or is there a "mound" for a flare fitting to seat against... if so - that's a whole different thread pitch etc.

[makoshark]

Right now I'm just doing mock up. Nothing is tight. Everything has only been screwed on by hand. I do not want any liquids around anything at this moment. Once I start buttoning everything up for final fitment, then I'll do as recommended. Thanks.

I thought about the fitting at the radiator being a different thread pitch. So, if it is, would I need an inverted flare fitting there? As for the fitting on the B&M cooler, I'm still left wondering why only three threads will engage.

[makoshark]

Just checked the fitting on the radiator. There is a mound inside the hole, so it is a flare fitting. Thanks for pointing that out to me

[Rod P]

NPT is National Pipe Thread

Its cut with a taper, that way it pressure fits the connection. 3 threads is about normal it will go in more with a thread sealer paste (don't use Teflon tape please) there is no real lubricating property in tapes

on the 1/4 one it sounds like there are 2 different thread pitches, don't force it, make sure its a 1/4-20 or a AN, a flair or even metric:wow:

[makoshark]

the 1/4" fitting I have is a 1/4" NPT to -6an fitting. Only one thread will start, so I have not tried to force it. I know this fitting does not fit the trans mount cooler. The question is, what freaking fitting fits it?:) I am digging through the mail-order places and not finding anything. What is everyone using there?

[GregWeld]

No "right answer" to that -- because it depends...

Depends on what your female is.... and nobody can see that from your pictures - and even then we'd be guessing. If you have a inverted flare then it's going to take an inverted flare fitting -- not a NPT fitting.

Most likely your radiator trans cooler takes a 5/16" HARD LINE... with a 45* double inverted flare... so if you're going to try to convert that to a -6 AN - you're going to have to figure out what it SHOULD take and then try to find a conversion fitting.

[Vegas69]

Are you sure the cooler isn't AN threads? They are different than NPT.

[GregWeld]

Best thing to do is figure out who made your parts -- and ask THEM --- otherwise it's just wild guessing....

You'll find plumbing very frustrating until you figure out what all these different fittings look like === hot rod parts can be ordered with many different "custom" thread types and sizes... one guy might need his cooler with "O" ring fittings another guy might want NPT to use a barbed hose... that's why nobody can just tell you "IT'S THIS".

[GregWeld]

These guys might be your best new friends.....



http://www.purechoicemotorsports.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=results/category_id=99/home_id=99/mode=cat/cat99.htm

[makoshark]

No "right answer" to that -- because it depends...

Depends on what your female is.... and nobody can see that from your pictures - and even then we'd be guessing. If you have a inverted flare then it's going to take an inverted flare fitting -- not a NPT fitting.

Most likely your radiator trans cooler takes a 5/16" HARD LINE... with a 45* double inverted flare... so if you're going to try to convert that to a -6 AN - you're going to have to figure out what it SHOULD take and then try to find a conversion fitting.

Thanks. Yes, 5/16" lines are what I have and they bolt right up, so this isn't a one-off custom setup. I know there is more than one person that has done this before.

[makoshark]

http://www.purechoicemotorsports.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=product/product_id=342/category_id=101/home_id=101/mode=prod/prd342.htm

I think I found the fitting. I'll give them a call tomorrow. Thanks a bunch.

Vegas, the B&M cooler is 1/2" NPT. I was just uncertain if the fittings I had fit because I was only able to engage 3 threads by hand. Seems that is sufficient and with a wrench and thread lube it will engage more.

Thanks for the help guys.

[makoshark]

Actually, this brings to light one more question. What fitting to attach the an hose to the trans 5/16" cooler line?:D

[makoshark]

http://www.purechoicemotorsports.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=product/product_id=256/category_id=130/home_id=71/mode=prod/prd256.htm

Nevermind

[camcojb]

Actually, this brings to light one more question. What fitting to attach the an hose to the trans 5/16" cooler line?:D

http://www.purechoicemotorsports.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=product/product_id=256/category_id=130/home_id=71/mode=prod/prd256.htm

Nevermind

that's only if you're using hard line. If you use A/N line they make a 5/16" inverted flare to male #6AN adapter.

[makoshark]

Yeah, that's so I can attach the line to the hard lines I have run

[Bryce]

If you were in San Diego I would sugest you stop by my hardware store and we have almost every plumbing fitting to test fit.

It looks like you got it sorted.

A NPT fitting will thread in about 3 turns before it starts to tighten due to the tapered threads.

[camcojb]

Yeah, that's so I can attach the line to the hard lines I have run

If the radiator is set up for 5/16 hard lines and that's what you've run then you don't need any adapter AN fittings. Simply cut the tubing to length, add the inverted flare nut (before you flare the tubing) and flare the end of the hard line and you're done. If you don't have the 45 degree flare tool you can borrow or rent one. I'd prefer that over a compression adapter fitting, but either will work.

[makoshark]

Thanks Jody...Although, I gotta quit hanging out over here with you guys. I just called up Pure Choice and they put a $80 dollar hole in my pocket on top of the $100 dollar hole I put in it yesterday ordering fittings ON top of the already, who knows, how much I already have in fittings!!!!:willy:

Thanks a bunch though guys!! I got me some new fittings. Now I need to go get some hair plugs to replace all the hair I pulled out trying to figure out all these darn fittings.

[GregWeld]

Hot rodding is fun isn't it?!?!?!


:lol:

[makoshark]

Hot rodding is fun isn't it?!?!?!


:lol:

It's my crack:captain:

An old hot rodder told me years ago it was what allows him to keep his sanity. I say its how I keep my insanity:D

[makoshark]

Here's my new fittings from Pure Choice. They fit perfectly. I just have the hardline laying up against the radiator. They had female inverted fittings that I can adapt to my fuel and trans hard lines. I do not like or trust compression fittings on stainless steel lines. These will work perfectly and solve my fears of the compression fittings.

Thanks everyone for your help. Saved me from a lot of frustration. Big thanks to Greg:thumbsup:

[GregWeld]

You're welcome buddy -- that's what we're all here for! :thumbsup:

Just don't over tighten those fittings... I like to "sneak" up on a seal... by tightening it just a bit then just back off a hair and then tighten it a little then back off and do it again to send it home. That way the two mating surfaces get to know each other and tend to seat better with less pressure.

[makoshark]

Thanks...will do...Also, I seal the threads with plumbers pipe dope?

One other question...Can you run regular braided hose on the return side of the power steering pump? I know you have to run special high pressure hose for the feed/pressure side. I already have all the correct hose and fittings. On the return side, I have to just slip the hose over the nipple on the power steering pump and use an -an crimp fitting. I can't use the pressure hose on that nipple. It just doesn't fit it. I just want to make sure the regular braided hose is compatible with power steering fluid?

[GregWeld]

You always want to use some kind of thread "lubricant or sealant" --- especially when stuff is aluminum! The threads gall in a nanosecond...

I would NOT use fuel line for brake fluid... before you do - do a search for the RATING of the line you're about to use to see if it's rated for the fluid and pressures you are dealing with.

[makoshark]

You always want to use some kind of thread "lubricant or sealant" --- especially when stuff is aluminum! The threads gall in a nanosecond...

So I use anti-seize compound?

[/QUOTE]I would NOT use fuel line for brake fluid... before you do - do a search for the RATING of the line you're about to use to see if it's rated for the fluid and pressures you are dealing with.[/QUOTE]

This is a DSE power steering box and DSE pump with the integral reservoir, not remote. I did not purchase their already made line kit because I added a power steering cooler. Their kit does not allow for it. So, I am making my own lines. The high pressure power steering hose I have for the pressure side will not work on the slip on nipple at the power steering pump. That is why I bought regular braided hose. I could not find any hose other that said it was safe power steering fluid other than the high pressure hose that will not attach there. So what do I do now?

[intocarss]

As far as thread sealant

http://www.permatex.com/products/Automotive/thread_compounds/a_thread_sealants/auto_Permatex_Thread_Sealant_with_PTFE.htm

http://www.permatex.com/products/Automotive/thread_compounds/a_thread_sealants.htm

We also use liquid thread sealant that we've bought at OSH hardware stores..


AS far as the LOW pressure lines, make sure it can handle the heat

Here is an example (transmission cooler hose)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hayden-Automotive-126-Hose-Transmission-Cooler-3-8-25-ft-Long-Rubber-Black-Ea-/330677009865?pt=Apparel_Merchandise&vxp=mtr&hash=item4cfde2bdc9

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Goodyear-65211-Transmission-Cooler-Hose-Rubber-Black-5-16-I-D-25-ft-Length-Ea-/370578417793?pt=Apparel_Merchandise&vxp=mtr&hash=item564831e881