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Transmission line question.

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Old Jan 27, 2014 | 11:15 PM
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Default Transmission line question.

While reading another post on transmission lines (talking about smoke coming from the transmission dip stick) I also have the same problem, so I checked how mine were installed (from the steel lines to the rubber hoses). From this picture, it appears that the bottom cooler line on the transmission goes to the top of the radiator (Right?). Its a stock 82 with original transmission. Looking at mine they were on backwards. It appears that the lines were installed incorrectly at one time or another. The steel line on the top of the transmission ends below the radiator with a 90 degree bend toward the passenger side fender. The bottom transmission line ends below the radiator with a 90 degree bend upward toward the hood, the upward bend goes to the top of the radiator and the other 90 degree line pointing at the passenger side fender goes to the bottom (Right?). If that's the case mine were reversed at the transmission.
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Old Jan 28, 2014 | 10:26 AM
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Originally Posted by TravisF
While reading another post on transmission lines (talking about smoke coming from the transmission dip stick) I also have the same problem, so I checked how mine were installed (from the steel lines to the rubber hoses). From this picture, it appears that the bottom cooler line on the transmission goes to the top of the radiator (Right?). Its a stock 82 with original transmission. Looking at mine they were on backwards. It appears that the lines were installed incorrectly at one time or another. The steel line on the top of the transmission ends below the radiator with a 90 degree bend toward the passenger side fender. The bottom transmission line ends below the radiator with a 90 degree bend upward toward the hood, the upward bend goes to the top of the radiator and the other 90 degree line pointing at the passenger side fender goes to the bottom (Right?). If that's the case mine were reversed at the transmission.
As far as this simply being for circulation, I would not think it matters and in fact could have been done at the factory. If you want to switch it to comply with the AIM, doing it at the transmission would by far be the easiest route to take.
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Old Jan 28, 2014 | 10:33 AM
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Usually the rad connections are rubber hose at the rad so swapping them there is a lot easier then from under the car , and if they are hard connected you can cut and use rubber hose. You can also go under car where the lines are straight cut and cross and then use 2 brass compression fittings.

However as it is a cooler the direction of the flow should not matter , we use to always delete that cooling system in favor of a remote oil cooler on all the rebuilds we did. The reason ar 2 fold one it is better cooled remotely and 2 you can have a bad internal rad cooler leak antifreeze in to the tranny.
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Old Jan 28, 2014 | 11:05 AM
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Originally Posted by diehrd
Usually the rad connections are rubber hose at the rad so swapping them there is a lot easier then from under the car , and if they are hard connected you can cut and use rubber hose. You can also go under car where the lines are straight cut and cross and then use 2 brass compression fittings.

However as it is a cooler the direction of the flow should not matter , we use to always delete that cooling system in favor of a remote oil cooler on all the rebuilds we did. The reason ar 2 fold one it is better cooled remotely and 2 you can have a bad internal rad cooler leak antifreeze in to the tranny.
Thanks for the help! Well I swapped them to match the AIM. I would have thought for sure there had to be directional flow from the tranny to the RAD.
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Old Jan 28, 2014 | 11:39 AM
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From the AIM drawing, it appears that the lower connection on the tranny is going to the upper connection on the radiator. There is probably a 'preferred' hook-up that maximizes cooling to the trans, but I don't think there is a lot of difference, either way you connect it.

The coolest spot on the radiator is at the bottom (hottest engine coolant is exiting the pump and sent to the top of the radiator); so having the "Converter OUT" line going in at the bottom might provide the most cooling for the trans. Again, probably not a lot of difference, either way.
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Old Jan 28, 2014 | 11:50 AM
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Trans out goes too upper cooler, so gravity works for yah as the fluid goes thru the cooler. Like all fluids in an engine transmission fluid is just something else to be pumped and you try to min the losses. Plus the harder to pump the more heat.
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Old Jan 28, 2014 | 12:44 PM
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Originally Posted by 7T1vette
From the AIM drawing, it appears that the lower connection on the tranny is going to the upper connection on the radiator. There is probably a 'preferred' hook-up that maximizes cooling to the trans, but I don't think there is a lot of difference, either way you connect it.

The coolest spot on the radiator is at the bottom (hottest engine coolant is exiting the pump and sent to the top of the radiator); so having the "Converter OUT" line going in at the bottom might provide the most cooling for the trans. Again, probably not a lot of difference, either way.
Thanks,
It looks like the transmission lines were at one time switched around at the transmission because at the radiator end, the bends on the steel lines were backwards. I don't think the lines are factory because it just doesn't look as clean as it should (routing wise). Along that line, how many Qts. of transmission fluid are in the tranny? I went to a few places to find Dextron 3 fluid but could only find Valvoline Dex/Merc, that states will work for Dextron 3.
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Old Jan 28, 2014 | 12:58 PM
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if you are still experiencing smoke(or vapor) from the dipstick tube it could be the vent tube on the top of the trans is stopped up(dirt daubers most of the time)
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Old Jan 28, 2014 | 01:44 PM
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Originally Posted by junkman123
if you are still experiencing smoke(or vapor) from the dipstick tube it could be the vent tube on the top of the trans is stopped up(dirt daubers most of the time)
Are you serious? Can you elaborate? Where is the vent tube? How do I inspect it/clean it?
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Old Jan 28, 2014 | 04:14 PM
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its the little white thing about 8-10 inches above the gear selector. some have a tube there some just that little plastic cover. its hard to get to in the car,but you can blow it out with an air hose.

Last edited by junkman123; Jan 28, 2014 at 04:16 PM.
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Old Jan 28, 2014 | 04:41 PM
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I doubt if they were switched at the factory.
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Old Jan 28, 2014 | 10:13 PM
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Originally Posted by junkman123
its the little white thing about 8-10 inches above the gear selector. some have a tube there some just that little plastic cover. its hard to get to in the car,but you can blow it out with an air hose.
Thanks, Ill look into it this weekend!
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Old Jan 27, 2015 | 03:19 PM
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My 2003 corvette transmission line which had a fitting installed few years ago, is now leaking. I have been told to replace the line. Anyone knows of a corvette mechanic to take care of this task? I live in Los Angeles, California.
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Old Jan 27, 2015 | 10:48 PM
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Originally Posted by TG100
My 2003 corvette transmission line which had a fitting installed few years ago, is now leaking. I have been told to replace the line. Anyone knows of a corvette mechanic to take care of this task? I live in Los Angeles, California.
Anaheim. IIRC it's Frank's Transmission. Not a "Corvette" specialty shop, just a really good trans guy.
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Old Jan 28, 2015 | 02:26 AM
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It does take more effort to force liquid "in-up-out" compared to "in-down-out......and according to my infra-red gun, like another member said--the bottom of the radiator is "cooler" than the upper part of the radiator.

All of that combined makes a difference/maybe not a big difference...but everything helps...."kinda like" reverse flow water pumps, aluminum radiators, and electric cooling fans.
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