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transmission cooler lines
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 486
Likes: 1
transmission cooler lines
Should I spend the money and order new metal transmission lines from ecklers for ~70 plus s/h or buy two couplers and run transmission hose?
I have an 80 vette, stripped threads on the TH350 so I had to cut the lines in order to get the transmission out. I am now installing a 200R4 but need new lines.
What do you suggest?
I have an 80 vette, stripped threads on the TH350 so I had to cut the lines in order to get the transmission out. I am now installing a 200R4 but need new lines.
What do you suggest?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 893
Likes: 7
From: Orange Park Florida
I've used short pieces of rubber hose on cooler lines with no trouble. I've also used hose for the entire length (tranny to radiator) with no trouble - this method allows routing to/from tranny to avoid high heat areas and give a clean, uncluttered look.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,431
Likes: 52
From: Florida
I prefer solid metal lines. Full length braided rubber/teflon lines would be my second choice. Short lengths of high pressure rubber hoses (made for transmission coolers) is my third choice. Full length high pressure rubber hoses would be my last choice. If you use rubber hose sections, the tubes the hoses slide onto should be barbed for holding power.
Last edited by jimvette999; Jun 2, 2010 at 04:22 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
You want one end of the lines to be connected solidly to something. If there are flexible lines at both ends, the lines will be 'flapping in the breeze'. Since you had to cut the ends off, I would probably choose to buy new lines. But, the integrity of the system shouldn't be hampered if you use good compression fitting to put the solid line parts back together again. It's in an area where no one can really see it, anyway.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
If your lines are good other than the end stripped, you can go the parts store and get a short piece of 5/16 steel line, it will have the correct fitting on it, then splice it into your line using a compression union..
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 20
From: The only Corvettes in Highett Victoria
Lines
glarior,
I agree with 7T1vette and '75. There's nothing wrong with using compression fittings as long as they're fitted properly. I used them on my '74 where someone had cut the metal lines just in front of the crossmember with an oxy torch
and fitted rubber hoses up to the radiator.
I fitted a cylindrical cooler mounted transversely to the crossmember and used compression fittings to make new steel lines from about the fuel pump area forward. The only rubber line is where the steel lines attach to the cooler, each is about 3" long.
Hope this helps.
Regards from Down Under
aussiejohn
I agree with 7T1vette and '75. There's nothing wrong with using compression fittings as long as they're fitted properly. I used them on my '74 where someone had cut the metal lines just in front of the crossmember with an oxy torch
and fitted rubber hoses up to the radiator.I fitted a cylindrical cooler mounted transversely to the crossmember and used compression fittings to make new steel lines from about the fuel pump area forward. The only rubber line is where the steel lines attach to the cooler, each is about 3" long.
Hope this helps.
Regards from Down Under
aussiejohn
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Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 12,065
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From: Smalltownville Michigan
Cruise-In 5, 6 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
a good rubber hose should stand up to the pressures in the trans lines, if you decide to go the rubber route. But i'm definitely with the consensus... metal is the way to go.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,810
Likes: 469
From: Wichita Kansas
I prefer solid metal lines. Full length braided rubber/teflon lines would be my second choice. Short lengths of high pressure rubber hoses (made for transmission coolers) is my third choice. Full length high pressure rubber hoses would be my last choice. If you rubber hose sections, the tubes the hoses slide onto should be barbed for holding power.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Should I spend the money and order new metal transmission lines from ecklers for ~70 plus s/h or buy two couplers and run transmission hose?
I have an 80 vette, stripped threads on the TH350 so I had to cut the lines in order to get the transmission out. I am now installing a 200R4 but need new lines.
What do you suggest?
I have an 80 vette, stripped threads on the TH350 so I had to cut the lines in order to get the transmission out. I am now installing a 200R4 but need new lines.
What do you suggest?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,431
Likes: 52
From: Florida
This is the bulb end I prefer FWIW http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...roducts-_-feed
Last edited by jimvette999; Jun 2, 2010 at 04:20 PM.
