using rubber trans line for cooler.

[bjohn07]

i pulled the engine and trans on my car. and i plan on using an external trans cooler when i put it back in. the trans lines are the fact ones from 1986 and one has a good kink in it and im more than sure its causing some restriction and rusty. can i use rubber trans cooler line from the trans all the way to the cooler. the last car i ran trans lines i used ss braided with an fittings and it cost close to 120 to do it. and i dont wanna spend that much on trans line for this car since it wont see track very much. is it okay to use the cooler line the entire way?

 

[billyjack]

Personally, I'd bend and flare my own hard line. In addition to the burst resistance of metal line, you also have high resistance to abrasion and heat, especially if you're running headers. If you're really set on rubber, have a hose shop do hydraulic hose and crimped fittings. Do remember that rubber won't bend as tight of a radius as metal, so carefully plan your hose routes.

Bill

 

[Bonnewagon]

Agree on the metal lines. Any auto store will carry them and you just bend them up to what you need. Just think how long the trans would last if the rubber line got cut or melted while you were on the highway doing 70mph.

 

[JBreu]

If I were you, I would just go to a Napa and grab some brake lines and use them....They are easy to bend...I also would use an exterior transmission cooler as welll as the cooler in your radiator...YOu can never have to much protection for your transmission....Like the others say...You can easily blow the rubber lines or burn them if they got caught up on headres, if your running them that is..........You can get metal lines on the cheap--less then $20.00.

 

[79loserbluebu]

Yes you can use rubber lines for the trans cooler. That's what's inside of the braided lines that you probably had with the AN fittings. The cooler lines aren't under much pressure. I think they are metal just because of heat and being so close to the engine.

But if it were my car I would still use the metal lines, not only because that's what it came with stock but because rubber lines just don't look too appealing to the eye.

 

[bjohn07]

okay im just gonna stick with the metal lines. a friend told me to use rubber cuz its easier but he only drives his car on the weekends and not on very far so i guess its okay for him but i plan on using this car a few days out the week

 

[Oldstech]

I spliced in a External transmission and Oil cooler off my Radiator transmission and Oil Cooler. I used rubber lines. Hell, you dont have a chose the coolers have nipples on it. I mean I could pay a sh** ton for braid hose and still have a hose clamp on the transmission line (And the cooler came off a Explorer and the FACTORY used rubber hoses with clamps).

will give you the proper answer. Yes metal are better. But then in a real world DIY answer. Rubber Lines are ok, long has you have them properly routing and clamped/zip ties.

I have bent my fair share of metal lines, working on airplanes (I.E. Pitot/Static system). And its a big PITA and not worth it. Becuz if your doing a one pieces tube one wrong bend and your starting over.

Your/friends car, if it a really nice factory spec show winner then I could understand bending a whole new line. But for one bad spot, I would cut that spot out, buy some 3/8 rubber hose and proper clamps and be done.

 

[chevyman454]

you know there is 3 types of rubb line ? ATF (for transmission) fuel and vacuum

 

[bjohn07]

yes i know and if i use trans line ill be sure to buy the high temp trans cooler line.

 

[jrm81bu]

Mine are metal lines coming out of the transmission and stay metal til it gets to about the sway bar. From there they are rubber all the way to the cooler in front of the radiator. They even go under the core support. I also used the fuel injection style hose clamps. Never had a problem.