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I removed my old radiator and waterpump, and now I’m prepping and cleaning the areas around to instal the new aluminum cooler gear (rad. + pump).
I have some questions regarding my waterpump and radiator fittings.
1. What is the best material for the plug on top of the pump? Brass? 2. What is the best material for the heater hose fitting on the side of the pump? Aluminum, steel or stainless? (Can’t find brass.) 3. Can I reuse the studs on my old pump? (For the fan + pulley). What locktide should I use?
4. What is the best material used on the new alu. Champion radiator transm. cooler lines? Can I just reuse my old ones from the original radiator?
I removed my old radiator and waterpump, and now I’m prepping and cleaning the areas around to instal the new aluminum cooler gear (rad. + pump).
I have some questions regarding my waterpump and radiator fittings.
1. What is the best material for the plug on top of the pump? Brass? 2. What is the best material for the heater hose fitting on the side of the pump? Aluminum, steel or stainless? (Can’t find brass.) 3. Can I reuse the studs on my old pump? (For the fan + pulley). What locktide should I use?
4. What is the best material used on the new alu. Champion radiator transm. cooler lines? Can I just reuse my old ones from the original radiator?
It seems your new pump is Aluminum.
1. Aluminum
2. Stainless Steel
3. Yes, reuse old flange studs on new flange. Loctite Blue. New flange has Two bolt circles; ensure you select correct bolt circle !
4. Yes, your old trans cooler lines can be used with new radiator. Although that may (or may not) require adapter fittings.
* see the unused threaded bolthole at lower edge of pump; when pump installed (about 3 o'clock in picture) ?
If your motor does Not have retrofit roller cam; simply disregard that threaded hole.
Last edited by Rebelyell; Sep 29, 2025 at 05:59 PM.
on heater pipe use aluminum or steel\ original from factory was steel
aluminum fitting screwed into that aluminum water pump will gall the treads will be stripped and be a bitch to remove it
same goes for a aluminum intake manifold
same with fitting in alumium radiatoe for automatic transmissionm lines
on heater pipe use aluminum or steel\ original from factory was steel
aluminum fitting screwed into that aluminum water pump will gall the treads will be stripped and be a bitch to remove it
same goes for a aluminum intake manifold
same with fitting in alumium radiatoe for automatic transmissionm lines
I ordered a second fitting in Chrome steel, just to be sure. I didn’t know that aluminum oxidated so quickly.
I know you are in Europe, but even there, a lifetime supply should only be 20 Euros or so. Example from US Amazon.
It's 3/4" NPT at the top, and 1/2" on the side? A kit will give you spares for the intake manifold, too. Just be sure to use a few wraps of Teflon tape.
I ordered a second fitting in Chrome steel, just to be sure. I didn’t know that aluminum oxidated so quickly.
Thank you for the warning.
Typically, stainless steel is less reactive than plated steel.
Your pump is aluminum; are you also convinced the pump will oxidize to the point of failure ? What about those millions of Aluminum OEM radiators, pumps, engine blocks & heads ?
Many times, DISsimilar metals and resulting electrolysis is genuine cause for concern.
Aluminum plugs are often hard-anodized; install that (and anything else that's threaded) w/ a dab of pipe dope and don't look back.
* many years back, for just a few $, I acquired a brand new Aluminum Weiand Team G pump with top hole threads wrecked at factory. I didn't need that hole anyway. My welder buddy and I heli-arced a small Alum plate over it and it's still there, leak-free after about 20 years.
Waterpump + radiator installation
