[Bocefus]

I just bought a summit direct fit aluminum radiator, part number SUM-380457 . The radiator shop just showed me that the standard 5/16 1/2 x 20 inverted flair tube fittings that screw into the new Summit radiator transmission cooler are too short. There is not enough thread material to allow the fitting to bottom out and seal off. It just leaks. The standard fitting is only .625" long, SUM-220157 .What I would need is the same fittings with more thread. Just 1/4" additional would be all I need. I tried all the local parts places, Napa, Advance, Autozone, ect, and no one has it. I can't even find one online. Does anyone have a solution? Is the radiator defective? Please help. The car is sitting at my shop and I want to get it done.

[TCSS1970]

I would call summit and talk to one of there tech people. See what they recommend. I've had good luck dealing with them and they are willing to help. Maybe they sent the wrong radiator unless your car has been modified. Anyway they are easy to deal with, give'em a call.

[Bocefus]

I called Tech, and he said Napa has the fitting I need, but I checked with them, and looked on their website, and they don't have the appropriate fitting. I will stop in at Summit tomorrow and look at another one of their Direct Fit radiators and compare the depth of the Trans cooler openings to the one I have. Maybe it was a manufacturing defect or they sent me the wrong radiator like you said.

[zeke67]

Not sure I'm following correctly. There are two lengths of inverted flare nuts. Stock lengths of straight tubing have one on each end. The little bins at NAPA might have them, but you'll probably have to dig through them because everything gets mixed up. Might be easiest to buy short lengths of tubing and cut them off, the reflare your ends with the new nuts.

[Bocefus]

Originally Posted by zeke67

Not sure I'm following correctly. There are two lengths of inverted flare nuts. Stock lengths of straight tubing have one on each end. The little bins at NAPA might have them, but you'll probably have to dig through them because everything gets mixed up. Might be easiest to buy short lengths of tubing and cut them off, the reflare your ends with the new nuts.

I can't find the long length inverted flare nuts anywhere in the 5/16 size. Whether on straight tubing or loose in a bin.

[rianbechtold]

I think it may be defective, mine uses regular/ordinary 5/16" 1/2x20 fittings.

[Bocefus]

Originally Posted by rianbechtold

I think it may be defective, mine uses regular/ordinary 5/16" 1/2x20 fittings.

Thanks for the info. I went back to Summit and had them pull another radiator out to compare the measurements to mine. It had the same deep seat issue, so I have come to the conclusion they got in a defective batch of radiators with the cooling line seats too deep. I instructed the Shop to grind down the top where the bolt screws in as far as they can and see if they can make it seat. If not this POS will be taken back, and an order put in with alumitech. Too much grinding and hacking for this "Direct Fit" radiator. To say I am disapointed would be an understatement.

[ALUMITECH REPRODUCTIONS]

Originally Posted by Bocefus

Thanks for the info. I went back to Summit and had them pull another radiator out to compare the measurements to mine. It had the same deep seat issue, so I have come to the conclusion they got in a defective batch of radiators with the cooling line seats too deep. I instructed the Shop to grind down the top where the bolt screws in as far as they can and see if they can make it seat. If not this POS will be taken back, and an order put in with alumitech. Too much grinding and hacking for this "Direct Fit" radiator. To say I am disapointed would be an understatement.

you have a pm
Don

[rianbechtold]

Originally Posted by Bocefus

Thanks for the info. I went back to Summit and had them pull another radiator out to compare the measurements to mine. It had the same deep seat issue, so I have come to the conclusion they got in a defective batch of radiators with the cooling line seats too deep. I instructed the Shop to grind down the top where the bolt screws in as far as they can and see if they can make it seat. If not this POS will be taken back, and an order put in with alumitech. Too much grinding and hacking for this "Direct Fit" radiator. To say I am disapointed would be an understatement.

Yea, but the grinding/hacking is not more than the $350.00 difference in price.

[Bocefus]

Update. The shop fixed the issue by putting a double flare on the transmission cooler line. That was just enough to get the screw bottomed out.

[zeke67]

What was on there before, a single?

[Bocefus]

Originally Posted by zeke67

What was on there before, a single?

Yes, it was just a single flare going into the stock small block brass radiator.

[13667]

Bocefus, Did you have any issue with the radiator fitting in the radiator support? I have a 70 big block car and have found that the driver side tank of the radiator at the bottom is wider than my stock big block 4 core radiator and it hits the L shaped bracket that mounts to the radiator and the frame. The tank on my stock radiator is stepped, it is narrower at the bottom that at the top.

If I move my radiator to the passenger side a 1/2 inch or so then the rubber mounts in the rad support do not line up and the top support does not line up to the bolt holes.


Did you have this issue? or any similar issue?

[1966_L78]

Originally Posted by 13667

Bocefus, Did you have any issue with the radiator fitting in the radiator support? I have a 70 big block car and have found that the driver side tank of the radiator at the bottom is wider than my stock big block 4 core radiator and it hits the L shaped bracket that mounts to the radiator and the frame. The tank on my stock radiator is stepped, it is narrower at the bottom that at the top.

If I move my radiator to the passenger side a 1/2 inch or so then the rubber mounts in the rad support do not line up and the top support does not line up to the bolt holes.


Did you have this issue? or any similar issue?

Mine (Summit Direct-Fit #380457) was very close, but it fit. It fit, but looked like it might rub, so I whacked the bracket with a BFH- just enough to gain a little clearance... but my support is already pretty beat up on the bottom anyway... Mine is a factory small block, but factory A/C car...

Oddly, the lower mounts didn't line up (had to move them over 1/4" or so, by drilling new holes for the rubber mounts), but the upper mounts fit right where they're supposed to (with the rubber mount holding the tank weld beads), and there were also knotches in the upper radiator support, and the tanks welds fit perfectly into these areas... stock replacement hoses fit too...

My "short" trans cooler fittings worked, but they were pretty close (the "nut" portion is right at the radiator tank)... I was worried at first, because they kept going in and in and in...