i want to run the transmission lines tonight and instead of bending new line for them ( my old ones are all cut up) is there any reason i cant just use the transmission cooler line (it is a rubber high pressure line and i have 10 foot of it) all the way to the transmission then just clamp the line to the flair fitting of my old lines? sounds much easier to manage and then i could drive this thing for the first time since it has been converted to a v8. thoughts?
You could run the hose with out having problems. Make sure you double clamp each hose end. Barbed fittings screwed into the transmission and the radiator would offer no-slip insurance, but what you have will work. be sure to use tie wraps to route the lines together, and fasten along the route to the radiator, and to keep them away from the exhaust.
When you spring a leak with those rubber hoses, and after the rebuild you can take the time to bend steel lines. Rubber is bad for a couple of reasons; It is prone to wear from the inside out and it is subject to wear and puncture from the outside in. You can make it puncture resistant by using braided hose but the biggest reason not to use rubber is that it holds the heat. The metal lines actually add cooling to the transmission. I wish you well with your lines and hope it works for you.
Paul should know. I would tke his advice. I have always been told not to run more than 2-3 feet of fuel or trans lines because of problems with heat and separation. Jim
I ran mine with braided steel hose, never had a issue, and my transmission guy said it was no problem.
As long as the hose is rated for the pressure, temp and material you will be fine. The problem is the hose that comes with most cooler is not that great and doesn't last as long as the good stuff. I would find something rate for higher temps with a tough outer covering if I doing it that way.
Steel is the only thing I would ever use. But, I trust my car to get me 66 miles round trip back and forth to work every day.
I figured it out once and found that you need an extra 5 row cooler to make up for the loss of steel lines when using rubber hose to replace it. Personally I would never use anything but metal lines on the cooler circuit. Short 6" hoses to and from an auxillary cooler is fine.
I too, use a transmission cooler on my Maverick. I have fuel injection hose on my transmission, all the way to the cooler,routed neatly, and securly,no problems. 420 c.i. stroker with built c-4.
