new radiator leaking at transmission lines

[KansasTwister]

Lines look good, both the upper and lower fitting are leaking between the line and the fitting, just a barely drip off top, but a slow pulse at the botttom. If the radiators flares were made wrong how would I tell? It never leaked before the new radiator. This is on my 83 by the way, lines are perfect shape. Old radiator is unusable, but only damaged on passenger side.

Ive loosened the lines, made sure they were straight and inserted, and re tightened them and made sure they were tight by the way.

 

[EIB8400]

Have you tried thread tape?

 

[Deuling]

Have you tried thread tape?

That wouldnt help I dont think if its bettween the fitting and the tubing. Are you possitive its not out of the threads though? Sounds like the flares are different to me. Or the threads in the new rad are deeper and the fitting is getting tight before the flare seats properly.

 

[Confedneck]

try an o-ring

 

[KansasTwister]

Im gonna ask pops when he gets home. Top wasn't leaking after I gave it a little more of a snug yesterday, but then I noticed a drop today. Bottom has had the steady stream and Ive re tightened it. Radiator came with the 84 front clip I got, it was sitting in the front seat of the truck in the field, had styrofoam in the lower fitting so i assume it was brand new never used, the fins had some damage but nothing through. Ill ask old man what he thinks when he gets home. Since it came out of an 84, and it looked new and is just like my trucks old one but a 3 core I dont think there should be any problem.

 

[Fordum]

Transmission fluid, right?
There could be two types of leaks. Tranny fluid, or coolant around the fitting.

I don't know which type of fitting it uses. Probably a flare. If so, pull the line off and look carefully at the two flare surfaces.
You can usually see where they have rubbed, and can see if there is any gaps in the mark.
A small grain of dirt can prevent the flares from sealing. If there is one, its probably embedded in one side or the other by now.
A penlight or other bright light may let you see it. Otherwise, rub the surfaces with a rough cloth, not sandpaper or emery cloth.

They make flare seals if the surface is rough and won't seal.
Most of them are nylon which might not work at those temps, but they probably have Teflon ones.
I don't like to use them, because sometimes the fittings will work loose, but not often.

If it uses O rings, just change the rings, and check for burrs inside.

 

[KansasTwister]

Its flare fitting, and its red trans fluid. Ill probably get yelled at for the radiator being made wrong lol.

 

[Fordum]

Cool, I decided to see if I could find a link to those, and ran across something I had not seen before.
Check this out.
http://www.flaretite.com/flaretite.php

Or here is a cheaper way.

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showgallery.php?cat=4452

 

[KansasTwister]

I just remembered the ending portions of the threads had some surface rust where they never entered the old radiator, im wondering if the rust was just enough to act tight, but be loose enough to allow the trans fluid to exit under pressure.

on the fittings for the lines btw.

 

[KansasTwister]

Wasnt tight enough, figures

Forgot to finish this post up. I thought i had it tight enough, turns out i didnt, and dad finished it up and they no longer leak.

 

[ryoken]

FTR, it's an inverted flare...