Correct Radiator oil cooler line connector fittings?

[TripleJ]

I need some help with this again. Rickf1985 or anyone with an '87-92-ish p30... Specifically the radiator with the part # you gave me rick, with the engine oil cooler lines on the driver side if the radiator...

What type of oil cooler line fittings do you have where the lines go into the radiator???  I had made up new lines to move the lines to the driver side, all looked well but the fittings won't thread into the radiator.

I tested their fit with everything out on the ground and they seemed to thread in just fine, but that was without an Oring installed. With the Oring installed on the line I see now that it only allows one full thread into the radiator. Looking closer this new radiator might not use this type of threaded connector at all, as there doesn't appear to be a bevel for the Oring to seal against... Not to mention the fact that it bottoms out before I can even get more than one thread started...


Here is the old fitting with the Oring.


Here's where it's supposed to go. It doesn't fit 

[Froggy1936]

Try it without the o ring It may be a metal to metal seal As long as you can support the nut on the radiator you can tighten the line nut enough to seal  , or even a much thinner o ring  Whatever combination works as long as you can get 5 to 7 turns on the nut . The only object is no leak with enough purchase of the nut  not to pull out   There should be some kind of a flexible section in the line for vibration  Frank

[TerryH]

I go with Froggy. Appears you have 4? threads on the rad inlet, and then a metal to metal flange. Your photo of the line shows a flange plus an o ring, when combined, add to up lessen the thread holding capability.
Try without the o ring, use a line fitting wrench if possible, and as per Froggy do not eliminate the flexible section that is there to eliminate vibration and reduce possible leakage.
Photos appear to be a metal to metal seal.
Best I can suggest.

[TripleJ]

The main thing I need to know before I try to force it to seal is what type of fitting it is suppose to have.

Does the factory use an Oring fitting that is shallow compared to mine? Or is it a cone seal of some kind, or a threaded seal??? Once I figure out what type is intended to connect to this radiator I can come up with something

Here are the hoses I made from the old parts when I thought I was home free

[Rickf1985]

My oil cooler is in front of the radiator and is part of the AC condenser so I do not use those holes but my radiator came with adapter fittings so that the lines you show would work. Those lines are NOT a metal to metal seal! They will leak and or break from tightening them to tight to try to stop the leak. Yes, the O-ring is the factory seal.

[TripleJ]

Thanks for the reply rick. I did reread some of your posts and saw that you use an external cooler. 

The fittings I have look like they should work but they don't. I've actually found what appears to be there correct ones. I will update this post with my junkyard parts source and dorman part numbers after I pressurize the system and verify everything.  Hm?

[TripleJ]

Well Im a bit short on time, but heres my update.

here is the difference between what I had and what I needed in order to thread correctly into this radiator.


The top is the fitting, Dorman part # 800-607.  This number came up when I was at the parts store searching for the solution using the model year of the radiator, which is I believe '88.  But having the threaded fitting doesnt help if you dont have the required hose ends - which dont seem to be available anywhere EXCEPT on existing vehicles...

These I scavenged from an early '00 model year GMC safari mini van. This style oil cooler line was apparently use on A LOT of 90's-00's GM vehicles.




So anyway, they are installed on my new radiator and dont appear to be leaking at all


theres plenty of space there.  Its not crammed in like it may look.



I left the elbow on the end because I was tired of messing with it.  Could have made a better looking assembly I suppose... Way too many other things to do tho...