reactor2

I'm going to install the 29900 BTU B&M super cooler with braided hose. The problem is I haven't worked with braided hose before. I'm going to route the braided line from the driver side of the radiator to the factory transmission lines. I want to put nice 90 degree bends in the hose at strategic points. The problem is that I don't see any hose fittings (russell or otherwise) that will allow me to do that. Basically what I want is a -6an 90 degree hose to hose fitting, but it looks like they don't make such an animal. How do you connect hose to hose in this fashion?

Perhaps a -6an male -6an male adapter would do the trick?

chevy406

You can either use a 90° hose end and then join it with a 6an x 6an union:




Or use straight hose ends and connect them with a 90° 6an x 6an elbow:

chevylad

I thought B&M coolers that big had pipe thread, but you can get a 90 degree elbow that converts from pipe thread to AN as well.

I'm not that big a fan of stainless braided. I prefer the ultra light hose or push on.

BTW, not all stainless braided are created equal. I had a project car that sat in the garage for years with a nice stainless fuel tank and braided lines throughout. Over time the gas leaked through the hose, like it leaked out of all the pores from the stainless meshed in with the rubber. I landed up replacing the whole mess a few years later and went to as much hardline as I could fit under the car.

striper

I had the exact same thing happen to me on my street rod, gas was coming out of everywhere! To the OP, it will be easier and less restrictive to run smooth looping bends with the hose than to run 90 degree fittings everywhere. I've got a lot of expeerience making and using braided ss hoses. It's not hard to do but you will cut your fingers.

reactor2

If I use the Russell Full Flow 90 degree bends as opposed to the 90 degree elbos should I be overly concerned about the added restriction? For both trans lines I was thinking I would have like 6 total 90 degree bends. I can rethink that if its going to be an issue.

Fast one

I found that using a Dremel tool with thin cutting stones to cut the hose worked better than a saw which frayed the stainless steel braid wires.

reactor2

Any thoughts on the number of 90 degree bends I'm planning on using? I'm using the Russell 90 degree full flow (pictured above) fittings. I plan on running no more than six 90 degree bends for the two lines (from factory lines to cooler and back). They will be the -6AN size.

reactor2

I'll have to use 45s rather than 90s....which will work it just won't look as clean.

chevylad

...or a 4.5 inch grinder with a cutting wheel, just be sure to rinse the hose out. I usually pour a bit of alchohol down each direction...just not the drinking kind because that would be wasting.

reactor2

So I've changed my mind about using the 90 degree bends. I looked at the factory line and that is full of 90 degree bends, so I can't imagine a few more will hurt anything. Just having braided wire flopping around looks rushed and horrible. I'm not worried about the expense of the fittings so much as I am about the appearance (although you won't see it but I'll know its there).

TwoValveKid

What year is your car and what fittings did you use for the stock connections on the radiator?

reactor2

Its a '98 and to go from -6AN hose ends to the radiator you need the –6 AN to 5/8 –18 inverted flare adapter.

TwoValveKid

Thats what i keep finding....what does the connector look like? Ive heard in 01 they changed to a diff one.

Black04Z06

These are what I've used in the past. It allows braided hose to a hardline.

http://www.jegs.com/p/Earls/Earls-Ha...49418/10002/-1

TwoValveKid

Interesting. What year car? im guessing 04? lol. And you used them to connect to the stock line up front that taps into the radiator?

Black04Z06

No, I have not used them on my vette since my car is a Z06 . I was providing a potential hardware solution. We would bend up custom hardline in places that braided hose wouldn't fit and the attach the braided hose with the Earls fitting.

corvettebob1

A sharp chisel with a block of wood and hammer cut's braided steel lines clean and you don't have to worry about getting crap inside the line.
And you don't need to tape the line, it also reduces the risk of your sore and bleeding fingers.

TwoValveKid

Ok cool. I'll have to look into them. Everyone keeps saying 5/8 -18 inverted flare for older cars. Nothing on newer.