Radiator Help!!!

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gurucomputers

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Just replaced the radiator in my ATX and the trans cooler lines are to big for the radiator fittings. The adaptors they supplied will not work as well. Is it ok to bypass the radiator trans cooler and just use the external cooler?

Any ideas are welcome.
 

SHOZ123

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I bypass the radiator on my V8 but the AX4N seems to be more efficent at cooling. All I use is a SHO G2 ATX cooler and it is more than sufficient.
 

gurucomputers

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I bypass the radiator on my V8 but the AX4N seems to be more efficent at cooling. All I use is a SHO G2 ATX cooler and it is more than sufficient.

Thanks for the info. I am going to try and find the right adapter for the hard lines to the radiator first.
 

itwonder

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I think it's fine to transition from the hard lines to rubber if that makes the plumbing easier for you.
 

gurucomputers

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I think it's fine to transition from the hard lines to rubber if that makes the plumbing easier for you.

I am seriously thinking about doing just that. Get rid of the hard lines all together which will eliminate the flow valve. I figure 3/8 trans hose with barbs for the radiator will do the trick.
 

boat

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I have a ? too about the hard lines for the trans cooler. Sorry to hijack, but this peaked my curiousity some.

When dissassembling my radiator and all of that, and trying to get the upper trans cooler line off the radiator. How possible is it to kink the upper hard line, if it starts pressing against something hard like an AC line?? It almost looks kinked, but then inspecting it further, it was not completely kinked, just folded a little and it looks like the one below, like trans fluid can still flow through the hose. I tried to bend it back, but I am either a weakling, or I didn't bend it and just thought I did, and it always looked that way.

I know, I know, completely noobish, but just thought I would ask, if it is something to be concerned about enough to fix it, if it could cause a problem for me later.... For the first time in my life, I have never had to work on a car so much, still learning, or "green" as some would say. True what they say, "the SHO will make a mechanic out of you"...
 
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gurucomputers

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I have a ? too about the hard lines for the trans cooler. Sorry to hijack, but this peaked my curiousity some.

When dissassembling my radiator and all of that, and trying to get the upper trans cooler line off the radiator. How possible is it to kink the upper hard line, if it starts pressing against something hard like an AC line?? It almost looks kinked, but then inspecting it further, it was not completely kinked, just folded a little and it looks like the one below, like trans fluid can still flow through the hose. I tried to bend it back, but I am either a weakling, or I didn't bend it and just thought I did, and it always looked that way.

I know, I know, completely noobish, but just thought I would ask, if it is something to be concerned about enough to fix it, if it could cause a problem for me later.... For the first time in my life, I have never had to work on a car so much, still learning, or "green" as some would say. True what they say, "the SHO will make a mechanic out of you"...

Mine is the same way except that the bottom line is the one that is a bitch to get off due to the AC line. I don't see it causing any problems as mine have a nasty kink in them to. Probably by-design.
 

boat

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Cool. I replaced all my hoses, thermostat, and front motor mount at the same time I did the radiator. It was decent sized job. First one I did pretty much solo. Eric Vervalin did come and check on me for a few minutes, then left. So far so good..

Yeah, that bottom one, I ended up taking out my battery tray so I could get to it a little better, it did help. Takes a while to get that one disconnected, then connected again. You might want to consider using a little bit of teflon tape, like what is used in putting plumbing pipes together, on the bigger fittings that come off your old radiator, and go on the new radiator. I believe it took a 3/4" wrench to get these on and off. If you already have it together, you will probably be alright, I read it out of a tutorial I found from someone who wrote one up on how to replace it out of a Taurus SHO/SLO.

Someone can chime in if it is not really necessary.


Mine is the same way except that the bottom line is the one that is a bitch to get off due to the AC line. I don't see it causing any problems as mine have a nasty kink in them to. Probably by-design.
 

TopGunnYFZ

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I just replaced 2 radiators on Friday and saturday, my car gave me all sorts of problems (DAMN YOU RUST) Took me all day, i couldnt get the lower trans line out of the radiator so i just cut it, flared the ends and used a rubber hose when i reinstalled. I also had to run up to the local hardware store and get 2 new fittings from the plumbing isle, so far its working great!

My gf's car on the other hand has no rust and everything went as it should and only took me 2 hours to remove and install.
 
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