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Radiator Install - Banging head in wall!!!


bighops2000
07-25-2009, 02:39 PM
94 explorer Installing the radiator. can't get the stupid transmission cooler lines of everything untightens as one (yes I held the line with wrench and used another wrench on radiator attachment part). after hours of struggling the trans line part is now rounded off and i havent even gotr to the bottom line yet. can i break these and buy more. i cant find them on the web. i thought the term for them was transmission cooling line. whatever they are they are killing me for what I thought was a simple radiator install

bighops2000
07-26-2009, 11:58 AM
now the metal hose has a twist in it. no turning back now....off they go

rhandwor
07-26-2009, 02:26 PM
http://www.autopart.com/tools/toolsmain/tool/T_A370.htm This is a picture of a disconnect tool.
Try the Ford dealer otherwise go to a hardware and look. I had a friend who bought a used radiator and was able to do this.
The hardware won't be the same but should be able to get it to work.
Try a fitting with copper crush washers to make the splice.

bighops2000
07-26-2009, 09:45 PM
a tad too late rhandwor. the install is finished.
I ended up cutting the metal tubing with a brake line cutter a little ways back from the connector. I cut both the keep the top and bottom the same. I lifted out the radiator. from here I was free to use whatever method I wish to remove the fittings (though it was not neccessary). In hindsight I dont feel bad for cutting the lines becuase there was no way that I could have removed those fittings with the radiator in....just to old and rusty together. I had a tough time removing them with the rad. out. I then used two brass fittings, screw clamps, and some reinforced hose to link the new radiator to the old lines. Since I tend to go overboard I made sure to have the top and botom hose links the same length and made sure that they were bent in the same shape/direction and that all of the screw clamps face up with the screw side on the left (yes I was that picky).. No leaks after about 40 miles of driving. Will keep you posted

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