'76 Radiator to Auto trans fluid cooling line

[Edward I.]

Can someone give me a eyes on the "transmission cooling pipe" , (Paragons description) , on their stock "76 L-48 . I never had a problem - leak - until the radiator was removed and reinstalled .I never saw what the original fitting
looked like . The one that was reinstalled is brass and is about 1 1/2" long going straight back towards the anti-sway bar bracket . It would drip once in awhile . The other end of the rubber tubing is shorter where it is connected
to the steel tranny line so I have no slack . I bought some AUTO TRANS TUBING to make things right , but it won't press on to the "new" fitting in the radiator. There was not enough clearance to get it on. Anti sway bar hardware
is in the way. I put back the old short tubing, and a new hose clamp, but it still drips (leaks).

The fitting from Paragon for my '76 Auto Trans is 3 1/2" long and straight . Way to long ! Is the original stock fitting steel and bent up ????

Thanks for any help .
Ed

[Rich C.]

Re: '76 Radiator to Auto trans fluid cooling line

Probably not much help, but on my '73 that lower tube/nipple has an offset in it, to avoid sway bar. I had better luck with using original clamps, that I see you still have on the other end of hose. (Dr. rebuild used to have them), the screw type seems to tear up the rubber. Even then it was a tough joint to seal up for some reason. What happened, did radiator get dropped off with tube still installed? Does that generic tube have a 'dimple' in end to help retain seal hose?

1973 LS-4 454 Coupe owned 24 years
1996 LT-4 CE Coupe owned 9 months

[Rich C.]

Re: '76 Radiator to Auto trans fluid cooling line

I just looked at the zip website, they show the 73-75 inlet pipe having a fairly generous offset, then it shows the 76-82 being a lot straighter. Weird, seeing as 73-76 use the same radiator. I'd buy 1 of each and see which one looks like it'll line up better, return the other. Some parts were phased in DURING the model year, vendors don't do enough research to see if there is a early/late model variation for a given part! Good Luck!


1973 LS-4 454 Coupe owned 24 years
1996 LT-4 CE Coupe owned 9 months

[Edward I.]

Re: '76 Radiator to Auto trans fluid cooling line

Thanks Rich for your info. Having an EARLY '76 really makes things more difficult . Local Chevy parts department don't carry anything that old or even a similar part that can fit into my old radiator. So before I try to get something from a catalog, I tried transmission shops, hydraulic hose places, auto parts stores and the closest thing I got is a 12" steel brake line with fittings on both ends . Yes it can be cut and bent but it won't have that dimple near the end and I have two chances to make one that fits.
I tried this morning to call ZIP Products but it is Sat. no one is working. The TM-129 inlet pipe looks like it would work .
I'll try my metal working skills on the "brake line" later today. It would be nice to have a garage lift so I could work on it like a human.

Rich, the reason I'm having this "minor" problem is I believe people when they say they can do the job . Let me start at the beginning - 38+ years ago I ordered this '76 Vette to replace my '70 which was stolen (NYC) . I drove it for a few years before I got married and put it away in 1994 with 15,000 miles . Today she has 16,988 miles about 100 miles a year for the last 20 years . I'm retired here in sunny Florida and I had her shipped down in Nov. so that NOW I can drive her around any time I want . So before I would take a chance with 38 year old hoses, belts , leaking calipers , disintegrating bumper covers etc. I had things replaced . The pros have the skills, equipment and special tools to do the job right . Well you know
what happened . A relatively simple repair ( resolder the fitting that the brass drain plug screws into the radiator ) which came off when you drain the radiator before changing radiator hoses . No one could solder upside down , so remove the radiator after you remove the hood etc. Which did make it easier to change the belts and lower hose while you have everything out . The job was finished , I'm a happy man. After a bunch of happy miles , the drip , no biggie , I'll just snug up the hose clamp . Looks different from the original clamp on a different inlet pipe . Here we are today.

Thanks for listening .

[Rich C.]

Re: '76 Radiator to Auto trans fluid cooling line

Ed, how about an update on your repair when you get around to it. Also it'd be great to see some photos of such a low mile '76!! Wrestling that radiator out was fun yes?



1973 LS-4 454 Coupe owned 24 years
1996 LT-4 CE Coupe owned 9 months

[Edward I.]

Re: '76 Radiator to Auto trans fluid cooling line


Hi Rich ,
Sunday afternoon : Put in a few hours trying to fix that transmission cooling line leak. I'm sending a few pics which show what I started with ( brake line tube / 2 fittings ) and the new replacement fitting I made. The bad news is it did not solve the problem
completely . Using the new ATF hose and the original hose clamp ,that stopped that leak at that end towards the tranny . The radiator end, I wasn't so lucky . I should have bent it more - 60 - 90 degrees . I took a picture of the fitting ( brass ) that the Chevy dealer put in when he removed and reinstalled the radiator for me . ( some else repaired the radiator ) I thought at the time it was money well spent, being that he is the pro and has the experience , etc.
As it turns out , It was a lot harder to bend the tubing than I first figured . You need tube bending tools that I don't have. Now I have only a few choices . Take the remainder of the tubing I bought and find someone who will bend it similar to the ones we see in catalogs or order one that should fit with a dimple near the end. I think the dimple is the key to success . I guess the writing is on the wall or the ATF will be on my garage floor.
I also enclosed a few pics of my '76 . Enjoy the rest of the weekend .
Ed
file://localhost/Users/ejimp/Desktop/iPhoto Library/Masters/2014/03/15/20140315-152512/ESTERO + VETTE 118.jpg
file://localhost/Users/ejimp/Desktop/iPhoto Library/Masters/2014/03/15/20140315-152512/ESTERO + VETTE 120.jpg
file://localhost/Users/ejimp/Desktop/iPhoto Library/Masters/2014/03/15/20140315-152512/ESTERO + VETTE 121.file://localhost/Users/ejimp/Desktop/iPhoto Library/Previews/2014/05/11/20140511-163220/IMG_0293.jpg I'm having a problem putting in pics today. If this don't work , I'll try a separate reply.

[Edward I.]

Re: '76 Radiator to Auto trans fluid cooling line

ESTERO + VETTE 118.jpgESTERO + VETTE 119.jpgESTERO + VETTE 120.jpgESTERO + VETTE 122.jpgHi Rich, Monday morning
Here are a few pictures that I promised I would try to send.

[Edward I.]

Re: '76 Radiator to Auto trans fluid cooling line

photo[1].jpgfphoto.jpgphoto 4.jpgGot lucky today.The fitting I ordered Monday morning from Davies Corvette in New Port Richey, Fl. came today . It looks like the real deal. Tomorrow morning is installation time.Hopefully my drip will be a thing of the past .

[Dan A.]

Re: '76 Radiator to Auto trans fluid cooling line

Ed,
Very nice looking a car. A friend of mine bought a new 76 dark green Corvette back in the day. I always remembered how good it looked in that color. Thanks for posting the pictures and the information about the transmission cooling lines.

[Rich C.]

Re: '76 Radiator to Auto trans fluid cooling line

Hello Ed, yes indeed, great looking car! The green looks sharp on a C-3! Are the urethane bumpers the originals? If so, that's amazing, my '73's front slowly shrank and disintegrated! And I think your transmission leak is going to go away soon! Be sure to update!! Rich

1973 LS-4 454 Coupe, owned 24 years
1996 LT-4 CE Coupe, owned 9 mos.

[Edward I.]

Re: '76 Radiator to Auto trans fluid cooling line

Thank you Dan and Rich for the nice words. Like I tell people down here in Florida when they admire my Vette , "If I knew I was going to keep it this long, I would have "really " taken care of her .
Rich - the bumper covers have just been replaced . If you want to read the entire ordeal just type in the Forum search box --- Bumper covers for 1976 Corvette -- That was my first post when I joined NCRS .
I received a lot of good info and advice.
I see my last reply didn't make it to the discussion ( about my good fortune of getting the correct trans cooling inlet fitting today ) I'll try and put it in tomorrow morning .The place that had it in stock is 170 miles north of me
in Fl. DAVIES CORVETTE in New Port Richey , one phone call , 24 hours later , it was in my mailbox. Nice guys and they know their stuff. I wish there was a place like them in this part of SW Florida .
I'll try to send a few pics of the correct part and the one I tried to make . That small BRASS fitting was the one that started the leak .
Edphoto 4[5].jpgphoto 3.jpgphoto 2[1].jpgphoto 1[2].jpg

[Edward I.]

Re: '76 Radiator to Auto trans fluid cooling line

Hi folks, - The correct fitting is in and it is working like a charm. No more drips. It was a little tough threading the part in because of the ATF getting on your fingers and working on your back etc. but patience prevailed and no cross threading . I can
see the value of a lift and younger eyes without bifocal lens. The dimple made it tough to get the new ATF hose on to the fitting . I measured where the dimple was and put a black mark 1 1/2 " from it so that I knew where the hose clamp would fit and not be on it. I ran around the neighborhood to give it test and then top off the fluid . New Dexron VI mixed with the 38 year old original ATF shouldn't be a problem, should it ????? I added about 1/2 quart to bring it up to the full line.
Enclosed are a few more pics. The fitting clears the anti-sway bar with room to get the tubing on The bottom line - The correct part makes life a lot easier . Those bends in that tubing are there for a reason . I don't know what GM did different to the radiator after my early '76 , but any other trans cooling fitting wouldn't fit mine.
Ed

photo 5.jpgphoto 1[1].jpgphoto 2[1].jpgphoto 4[1].jpg

[Rich C.]

Re: '76 Radiator to Auto trans fluid cooling line

Ed, Congrats on the repair. If you get bored this summer, come on up to Lake George, NY, you can help me fix my '96 6-speed transmission leak!! I'm guessing some gorilla overtightened torque beam-transmission connection. In doing so cracked extension housing!!! Only a $367 part! .Wish I had a lift as well!

1973 LS-4 454 Coupe, owned 24 years
1996 LT-4 CE Coupe, owned 9 months
Victory Hop Devil Ale, currently on tap!