I've had my baby for a while now, and its time to start fixin' her up!
An anonymous co-worker put a little piece of paper with CORVETTEFORUM.COM written on on my windshield, a couple of months ago.
We have a lot of employees, and 4 floors, so I have no idea who the person was-- doesn't matter anyway.
Thanks to them, I think I can get started down the road of improving my ride.

She's basically stock, except for a couple of things the previous owner put on it. I do have a subscription to chevy hi performance, and it gives me lots of ideas, but I have a small toolbox, and an even smaller bank account.

My problem is:
my trans fluid lines are nasty, and I want to replace them.
Its a 400 with a shift kit with a new converter (I wish I had more info :D )
I was hoping I could buy about 15 feet of that braided racing hose, cut the existing lines near the trans, and the radiator, and just double clamp the hose onto the existing pipe.

Is that a good idea? A guy at autozone told me that I need to flare the pipes so the hose wont blow off, but is there a way I can do that without pulling the trans out or going to a mechanic?
I have a friend that tinkers with chevys- but he's no mechanic, plus I only see him about once a month.
Would I be better off bending my own pipes than getting the hose?
I have a trans cooler to install, plus a temp sender and gauge.

Where is the best place to install the temp gauge? On the hot line going to the radiator, or the return line? I just read that its best to intsall the cooler in front of the radiator and a/c, but how should I hook it up to the trans? trans to radiator to cooler back to trans, or trans to cooler to radiator to trans?

 

Welcome to the forum. Your friend may have done you a favor. I am sure someone here has done exactly what you are wanting to do they just haven`t come across your post yet. I haven`t done this as mine is a 4spd. Good luck with your project and keep us updated on how it goes. Sorry I am no help on this but just wanted to help your post get back to the top for another look.

 

There is not much pressure in the trans cooler system. Many cars out there have rubber hoses that are just clamped in place .No problem... Just make sure you get hoses designed for fuel and oil. A good hose clamp will work fine.. Use the two ends like you want. Of couse you should keep an eye on them for a few days. I have never seen one just blow off. As for the trans cooler...To get the most cooling run them from the return out ot the radiator to the cooler and then on back to the trans. That way you use both coolers. If you are concerned about engine heat then bypass the radiator cooler.


[Modified by bluevetteman, 10:06 AM 6/7/2003]

 

I'm not usually critical of another C3 post, but I do have some (hopefully respectful) comments.
All automatic C3 Corvette's have rubber hoses for part of the trans cooling lines - to connect the hard lines from the trans (which will rotate with engine torque) to the short lines into the radiator (which is fixed to the frame). And don't you want to get hoses designed for transmission cooling - that will take the higher temperatures compared to fuel - maybe oil hose will work for this, but I'm not familiar with oil hose.
Not that this is a problem with MY car, but doesn't the transmission cooling lines into the radiator serve to WARM up the engine coolant in cool weather? Or was I not paying attention that day?

Thanks, GM

 

I have a set of SS Tubes I'll sell you if your intrested there for a 79 TH350.

 

Welcome aboard!

 

Transmission lines into the radiator are to cool the tranny fluid.

 

87bob
I want to modify my current header collector to dual exhaust setup, so I'm not really interested in the SS lines- but thanx for offering!!! (Plus, I'm not sure they would work- I still haven't got the book that lists the part exchanges from chevy to chevy...yet)

bluevetteman
Doesn't the shift kit significantly raise the line pressure?? That's what the dude at autozone said, and that's why he said that i'd hafta flare the pipes.
I had a leak in one of those short hoses that sprayed all over my headers and engine- BOY WAS SHE SMOKIN!! I thought I had an engine fire or something. The next day, first thing in the morning, I bought a fire extinguisher from the local hardware store for 8 bucks. Its worth the piece of mind.
How hard is it to put a flare on a hard line?? Can I get it done while the trans is in the car?
What should I NOT do, and what should I look out for??

I'm looking at the earls braided hose, and I'm told the only problem with those can be the cutting and trimming process. they claim to be able to withstand the hi temp tranny fluid.

I have seen some high pressure rubber lines that are uncoated, but I like the extra protection the ss braid offers- since the lines will be running under the car.
The b&m trans cooler I bought has a couple of feet of rubber hose coated with nylon or something, plus a couple of tees to help the install.
The temp gauge also has a tee with the sender in one of the outlets.

Im gonna wait for more opinions before I start. - besides, I have'nt the tools right now for the cutting and flaring of the lines, plus I dont have any hose yet.

What's the easiest way to get the right size hose? I'm not familiar with the AN sizing conversion to inches.

one more thing... how can I get the last S removed from my logon ID??
It was a typo, and I was wondering why my logon and password didn't work!! :crazy:

 

I bent new lines for my 75 (TH400) there are a lot of bends needed, but it wasn't too tough. I had no old lines to use as a pattern and spent quite a bit of time with trial and error fit until I got them right. You can buy 5 foot lines at any auto parts store, they have the inverted flares already on them at both ends. You will end up cutting the end towards the radiator off and using a compression coupling and a shorter piece of tubing (with the inverted flare) to go the rest of the way. Alternate way is to use a inverted flare coupling at this point and install compression connectors at the trans cooler. The only substantial investment you will have in this project is the cost of a lever handle tube bender. I suggest you get the "3 in 1" which will bend 1/4, 5/16, and 3/8 tubing (handy for other projects). I am pretty sure you can get these at Sears. Someplace that is conveinent on the tube carrying fluid towards the cooler is where you would want to install your tee and sensor. Most of the coil type trans coolers I have seen use rubber tubing connectors, I really haven't seen too much trouble with them. There is a more substantial cooler I have seen that resembles a long tube with fins in a star pattern which is frame mounted above the valence panel. I am not sure where you can get those, maybe Summit or Jeg's. :cheers:

 

What I was trying to say is... Some rubber hoses like the ones used in vacuum systems will quickly be softened by petrolium bases things like fuel or oil or trans fluid. There may well be special lines for trans cooler lines but reinforced fuel line should suffice. Poor choice of wording...


Some people may be concerned with warming the trans fluid in cold weather... I never thought about that as most people have more concern over getting rid of heat. Hence the term " trans cooler" rather than "trans warmer" although it may be a dual purpose device at times If engine heat is an issue then bypass the radiator cooler.
BTW... I never take any comments as derogitory.. Just anouther view... Sometimes we all have a different viewpoint. This forum is great for that. Varied input is always the best . Thanks

 

TTT -I am also interested in using the braided SS hose, in a similar manner.
Lets see what others say!

[quote]
What's the easiest way to get the right size hose? I'm not familiar with the AN sizing conversion to inches. [quote]

I found this in somone else's post in the engine mods forum. http://www.amstreetrod.com/html/techhelp.htm#ansize

Oh, yeah. Welcome to the forum!!!! :cheers:


[Modified by '75 383 ElkGrove, 9:50 PM 6/13/2003]