Trans cooler line question
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 16
Likes: 1
From: New Bedford, MA
Trans cooler line question
I wish I had a parts catalog, but since I don't, here's my question: Is there a physical difference between 87-90 cooler lines & my 85's? One of my lines is leaking, and I found a few vendors with pre-bent lines but they state 87-90....I'm guessing there must be SOME difference...anyone have any thoughts??
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,451
Likes: 336
From: Greater Cincinnati Area.
I see this has been languishing here, so in an effort to help..
I see a part number for the lines from Autozone, but there is no pic. Based on their fitment guide, it fits just about everything, which makes me suspect it may be a roll of bulk line. Which is also fine, actually. That's how I typically make them for the older vehicles and they generally look cleaner than the pre-bent line assembly.
I don't know why they would be any different and they aren't hard to modify for fit if they are somewhat different. You can bend them, even by hand if a tight radius isn't required, cut and use flare unions on them, etc. You can also do this to repair yours if they aren't damaged or rusted too badly.
One thing to note: Be careful not to introduce any crap into the line when installing or doing a repair, or it will stick your governor and stop shifting. Then you'll be digging that out of there to clean it. Also disconnect the battery, as it can be easy to cause a short when snaking them past the starter. One touch and you will have a giant hole in your new trans line.
I believe they were all 5/16. At least that is what I have seen on all older GM vehicles with a 700r4/4l60.
I see a part number for the lines from Autozone, but there is no pic. Based on their fitment guide, it fits just about everything, which makes me suspect it may be a roll of bulk line. Which is also fine, actually. That's how I typically make them for the older vehicles and they generally look cleaner than the pre-bent line assembly.
I don't know why they would be any different and they aren't hard to modify for fit if they are somewhat different. You can bend them, even by hand if a tight radius isn't required, cut and use flare unions on them, etc. You can also do this to repair yours if they aren't damaged or rusted too badly.
One thing to note: Be careful not to introduce any crap into the line when installing or doing a repair, or it will stick your governor and stop shifting. Then you'll be digging that out of there to clean it. Also disconnect the battery, as it can be easy to cause a short when snaking them past the starter. One touch and you will have a giant hole in your new trans line.
I believe they were all 5/16. At least that is what I have seen on all older GM vehicles with a 700r4/4l60.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 16
Likes: 1
From: New Bedford, MA
I ended up using a set of pre-bent lines listed on Ebay for the 87-90...with some finagling, they fit ok, so I'm back on the road!! The bends were all in the right spots, it's just a pita to get them routed in the car with such limited space...
