Using soft lines for transmission cooling
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Using soft lines for transmission cooling
Still hard at work on my 1994 project car and the transmission cooling lines have been lost to the ages. I'm considering using soft lines rather than purchasing new hard line replacements.
Does anyone have suggestions on this?
Searching through my corvette parts pile I have hard lines from an '87 that I once owned. These don't fit of course, but they do thread on either end and if I cut off the ends then I have start and end points to run soft line in between. The clearances are really tight though against the Cats and exhaust manifold on the passenger side.
I have flare tools and bending new hard lines is an option too, but the trouble doesn't seem worth it over the cost of new hard lines.
Using an external fluid cooler is also an option, I don't have to route the lines to the radiator if an external cooler is a good option. And it just so happens I have one of those too! Generic part, but new in box!
Thanks!
Does anyone have suggestions on this?
Searching through my corvette parts pile I have hard lines from an '87 that I once owned. These don't fit of course, but they do thread on either end and if I cut off the ends then I have start and end points to run soft line in between. The clearances are really tight though against the Cats and exhaust manifold on the passenger side.
I have flare tools and bending new hard lines is an option too, but the trouble doesn't seem worth it over the cost of new hard lines.
Using an external fluid cooler is also an option, I don't have to route the lines to the radiator if an external cooler is a good option. And it just so happens I have one of those too! Generic part, but new in box!
Thanks!
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 4,532
Likes: 7
From: Lahaina Hi
I use the soft rubber line from the trans coolers to the radiator .I use hard lines from the trans to the coolers.The heat in the engine compartment is I think to much to use rubber lines through the engine compartment.
A racer not to long ago had the trans line blow ,trans fluid on his headers and well he is not to good looking now!
A racer not to long ago had the trans line blow ,trans fluid on his headers and well he is not to good looking now!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
I had to use soft lines when doing my 4+3 to auto conversion.
Good quality (US made) hose and tied well clear of exhaust ; no probs after 4 years.
Same as you suggested; reused OE fittings ,just clamped hose without flaringpipe.
No leaks.
Good quality (US made) hose and tied well clear of exhaust ; no probs after 4 years.
Same as you suggested; reused OE fittings ,just clamped hose without flaringpipe.
No leaks.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 3,504
Likes: 4
From: Mexico Beach FL
Interesting timing of this post.
I just installed an after-market additional transmission fluid cooler in series with the OEM radiator unit in my Honda Pilot.
I pondered this same question for the add-on cooler for some time.
I decided to bend and run hard-lines from the front of the radiator to the back where the radiator cooler and tranny connections are.
My reasoning is there are too many places for the rubber lines to get chaffed and develop holes over time.
So, I ran short soft-lines from the add-on cooler to the hard-lines in front of the radiator. And, then, ran short soft-lines from the hard-lines in back of the radiator to the existing cooler and transmission lines.
I was able to install the hard-lines without drilling any new holes in the vehicle -- I used existing bolts to support the hard-lines.
I think this is a very durable setup and none of my soft-lines are anywhere close to anything to get damaged.
Tom Piper
I just installed an after-market additional transmission fluid cooler in series with the OEM radiator unit in my Honda Pilot.
I pondered this same question for the add-on cooler for some time.
I decided to bend and run hard-lines from the front of the radiator to the back where the radiator cooler and tranny connections are.
My reasoning is there are too many places for the rubber lines to get chaffed and develop holes over time.
So, I ran short soft-lines from the add-on cooler to the hard-lines in front of the radiator. And, then, ran short soft-lines from the hard-lines in back of the radiator to the existing cooler and transmission lines.
I was able to install the hard-lines without drilling any new holes in the vehicle -- I used existing bolts to support the hard-lines.
I think this is a very durable setup and none of my soft-lines are anywhere close to anything to get damaged.
Tom Piper
Last edited by Tom Piper; Jan 27, 2007 at 11:36 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 15
From: backwoods upstate ny
for just a few seconds, let's say that you are the lowest of the low -- a beancounter at GM....and you can buy solid steel tubing for $o.02 per foot, but hose of any useable construction will cost $o.20 per foot...''engineering'' sez that the components that the hose hooks up will move in relation to each other and vibrate, so a flex connector obviously should be employed, but a long steel tube with some bends in it will work for a while, prolly till out of warranty...you want to keep your paychecks coming, maybe even get a bonus --what's your pick?
key words are ''useable construction''...get hose that is good for the intended service (chemically, pressure, temp, etc.), connectors that are appropriate....don't expose hose to mechanical damage or excess heat (exhaust pipes, etc.?)...better than new
key words are ''useable construction''...get hose that is good for the intended service (chemically, pressure, temp, etc.), connectors that are appropriate....don't expose hose to mechanical damage or excess heat (exhaust pipes, etc.?)...better than new
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 15
From: backwoods upstate ny
my 83 cadillac and my daughter's 02 blazer both had steel tubing fatigue and break....luckily, no guys with raincoats were needed...rubber hose, or teflon lined braided hose must NOT be on or near exhaust headers or pipes, if they are- the big red trucks will be coming
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Lots of good feedback, thanks everyone. Right now I'm leaning towards very careful routing of soft lines for now to the radiator. This is still a project car so I'm not going on any cross country (or cross driveway for that matter) road trips just yet.
Not sure if I'll autocross this car once its all put back together or not so I'm not too worried about being disqualified. I do autocross my '97 on occasion but its all stock.
I think longer term I'll switch to either braided hose or factory hard lines, probably based on cost.
Not sure if I'll autocross this car once its all put back together or not so I'm not too worried about being disqualified. I do autocross my '97 on occasion but its all stock.
I think longer term I'll switch to either braided hose or factory hard lines, probably based on cost.