mikesimpalass

Hi everyone, I have an ls swapped monte carlo, and I'm putting a stock radiator back in the car. Unlike my old radiator, the stock replacement radiator has a 3/4 inch nipple located just below the overflow nipple. I would like to be able to adapt this nipple down to 1/8 so that I can run my steam vent to it. Any suggestions on how I can adapt a 3/4 nipple down to 1/8 nipple and make it look decent? Thanks!

upflying

I took my stock radiator to a radiator shop where a 1/4" barbed steam line was installed.

mikesimpalass

The problem is that my radiator has plastic tanks, I don't think anything can be done with that

JoeNova

I used plastic barn fittings from AutoZone to adapt from one size to the other.

G-Body

iTrader: (4)

I used a NPT to barbed brass fitting. Chucked it in the drill and filed/sanded the NPT threads off then used a sort piece of heater hose to connect it to the radiator. Not quite as good looking as threading the nipple into the rad but good enough for a daily driver.

mikesimpalass

That's not a half bad idea. Looks like I'm going with that! Thanks!

jmd

iTrader: (4)

Newer Delco tanks have that nipple tapped for NPT inside.

Original third gen f'body rads weren't tapped.

Check yours; might be 1/4 NPT?

mikesimpalass

On my tank, it is just a fixed plastic nipple that is molded into the tank

SPEEDYTRANSAM1996

iTrader: (37)

How does the barbed fitting not leak once popped into place without a seal of some sort ??

mrjs80

Now sure exactly how that nipped is molded to the tank but i was able to cut the nipple down and tap the hole for 3/8" pipe threads. Then a 3/8" pipe thread to 5/16" barb fitting. 1/4" Should work as well. This is an 88 camaro rad. Same thing for 2 c10's I did as well. There is plenty of meat at the bottom of the molded nipped once you cut it down. Just don't go to deep with the tap because it's tapered. If you tap too deep the fittings won't seal.