Transmission Line Issues AAARRGGHHH!!!!

[79BIG10]

I was able to get a transmission cooler finally for my truck and was going to install it today along with some new lines. I got a cooler like Mike did here http://www.73-87.com/garage/tranny_hoses.htm

Here's the problems:

1. When I went to take off the grille I broke some tabs (my fault there) but no biggie. I need a new grille anyways so when I got the grille off I looked for the holes that Mike has on his radiator support. I don't have any holes near in the place where his are ran. Now I've thought about drilling holes where he did but the overflow tank is on the other side of the support so I can't do that. What has everyone else done?

2. Next problem is that the AC cooler? is in front of my radiator and I can take that out but later on when I replace my AC I'll need that back. What did everyone else do? I don't want to run those nylon pull straps if possible.

3. My tranny lines are presently rubber hoses and I'm wanting to change them out to metal lines but I can't get the tranny lines (metal) off the tranny side. I've tried tightening and loosening but no luck. WD-40 no luck either. I don't want to use anything to heat it up for sure but right now I'm leaning towards running a short piece of rubber between the two metal tubes for now until I can get the tranny out. Any ideas here?

[Slonaker]

Brandon:

My truck is an '86, so my setup looks like Mike's. I don't know how closely your setup resembles ours. My lines are run through the hole in the header panel where the wiring for the lights comes through. You can barely see it in mike's pic between the hoses and the parking light.

Regarding the lines, one of mine did not want to come out when I pulled the tranny a few months ago. I finally said "screw this," and just cranked away at the stuck line until I broke the tube. It had to come out, right?

I just bent a new line using a piece of straight tubing I bought at Auto Zone. The tubing was 5 or 6 feet long, had the ends flared already with fittings in place, and only cost about $5. I spent about another $5 on a tubing bender, and just copied the old one as best I could. It isn't pretty, but it works. I have since pulled a line off a truck at a junkyard, and will be replacing it soon since the factory makes nicer bends than I do.

If you do use soft lines instead of hard ones, I was warned that it is necessary to use rubber lines rated for ATF. I have everything except the long block removed from under the hood of my truck right now, so I plan to replace my old rubber hoses installed by the previous owner. I was able to buy rubber hose, rated for ATF, made by Hayden I think, from Pep Boys. It was next to the transmission coolers in the store.

Regarding the A/C condensor, mine is between the header panel and the radiator. I don't know if yours is where it is because it is older, or if maybe it is aftermarket, and that was just an easier place to install it. If it is not in the factory location, maybe you could replace it later on with a factory type, which would probably be easier to find anyway.

Good luck.

Slonaker

[old Rusty C10]

you could use zip ties to attach the trans cooler to the condensor UHAUL does that when they install them its not pretty but it works

[79BIG10]

Well on Mike's he has a few holes there to work with. I don't have any at all. And where I could drill the overflow tank is so I'm screwed there.

On the cooler as big as this thing and it's going to be heavy when filled I don't want to chance it with zipties. I'll probably take out the consensor for now (needs replaced) and go with it mounted there for now.

On the lines I've got one done with the connections still in teh tranny with short piece or rubber there to trasnfer from flare to flare ends of steel pipe. I've already bent teh pipe and flared them. No problem there

[swervin ervin]

Brandon,

you mean you don't have a 3 or 4 inch square area you can drill a couple holes? I think you need to look harder.

Hey, I got an idea if all else fails. Upgrade your overflow canister to one like the 80's truck, on the passenger inner fender.

[Mike76251]

I would never ever use plastic zip ties to tie a cooler on.....

They will eventually tear out the radiator/condensor or something.

I just used flat steel to make two brackets that I welded to the rad. support and then bolted the cooler in.

I made the lines out of 3/8" stainless tubing that I bent with a bender.
One line (the supply) comes through a hole that was already there (in the rad. support).
The other line goes straight down and runs along the bottom of the engine back to the trans.
I took out the factory fittings in my 700R4 and replaced then with Parker stainless compression fittings to hook up the new lines.
I didn't go with rubber hoses because they fail to quick for me.
Imagine if they started leaking while you were going down a long interstate trip or something. How would you tell that you were getting low on fluid? The tranny would overheat and fry most likely burning the vehicle to the ground.
It has happened.

[1FaastC10]

Originally posted by Mike76251
I would never ever use plastic zip ties to tie a cooler on.....

They will eventually tear out the radiator/condensor or something.

hmmm, that's precisely why almost every trans cooler out there comes with them from the manufacturer? as long as you use the proper load spreaders (typically a large plastic washer or foam cushion) you shouldnt have any problems at all.

but i guess Mike is just better than the "normal" guy.

[79BIG10]

Originally posted by swervin ervin
Brandon,

you mean you don't have a 3 or 4 inch square area you can drill a couple holes? I think you need to look harder.

Hey, I got an idea if all else fails. Upgrade your overflow canister to one like the 80's truck, on the passenger inner fender.

I might do that if I don't find a place that would work well. The trouble is the opening for the air inlet for the stock air filter hose is there right above the over flow tank then if I install the lines there I can't reach the fill cap. Hopefully I can find a newer tank like that and remount it.

[Mike76251]

Originally posted by 1FaastC10


hmmm, that's precisely why almost every trans cooler out there comes with them from the manufacturer? as long as you use the proper load spreaders (typically a large plastic washer or foam cushion) you shouldnt have any problems at all.

I guess that is also why every form of motor sports as well as tractor-trailers, buses, trains,airplanes,industrial engines, tanks,the space shuttle,etc don't use zip-ties to hold coolers on.

[CustomChevy]

Hey B,


Get yourself a can of Liquid Wrench. I have found it to be lots better than WD40 for getting tough bolts. Might use it on those tranny line bolts.

Good luck!