Tranny lines

[Black68Charger]

Im trying to piece my 68 charger back together after its been sitting for 20 or so years. At some point someone needed the trans so I had to replace that. Im trying to get it all hooked up and at the point or what to do for lines. Would it be out of the question to use a quality rubber hose in place? I have a trans cooler mounted in front of the radiator and would like to plumb that in as well. Any ideas? Cool forum, glad I found it.

 

[MoparMitch]

You can always hand bend some 5/16 or 3/8 steel tubing available at most parts stores to make most , if not, all the distance you need from the transmission. Then if you have to you can use the correct flexible rubber tubing (not fuel hose though ) to connect to the trans cooler.

 

[Black68Charger]

I thought about that, problem is there are so many tight bends. My car has a 440 with headers so its kind of a cluster *&^% under there.

 

[MoparMitch]

Nice tight bends are possible with a quality hand held tubing bender. It would look factory that way , and lessen the chance that a hose gets melted or burned. JMHO

 

[RustyRatRod]

I can bend a 180* bend with my bender that has a 1.5" radius.

 

[rrowdy]

Im trying to piece my 68 charger back together after its been sitting for 20 or so years. At some point someone needed the trans so I had to replace that. Im trying to get it all hooked up and at the point or what to do for lines. Would it be out of the question to use a quality rubber hose in place? I have a trans cooler mounted in front of the radiator and would like to plumb that in as well. Any ideas? Cool forum, glad I found it.

Hose is not really a good alternative for the OEM steel lines. I bought new lines for my 63 Fury from Summit.
The price was reasonable and they fit almost perfectly. Save yourself a hassle and Give Summit a call.

Good luck!

 

[steve817]

No to Hose

I would say no to using a rubber hose due to chance of getting burnt, nicked, cut, etc. If you buy a pre-bent one....you will still have to modify it to fit to your headers. I would personally buy two steel lines and build my own. It will take time, however, it will look factory and be much more functional. Napa sells everything you need. Steve

 

[Black68Charger]

Well, I guess I will have to take you guys word for it. This should be fun...

 

[RustyRatRod]

Very simple solution. Get enough coat hanger wire to run the length of both lines. Twist it together to simulate each line. Bend it with coat hanger, then simply copy with the steel line. Don't forget to slide the fittings on before you flare the ends.

 

[Jaysam]

WOW, thats a cool trick. I hope I can remember that when I need to do it.

 

[Black68Charger]

Can one of you guys tell me which fluid line is the psi and return. Should I go to the aux. cooler first or threw the radiator? Thanks

 

[fatecaptured]

Definitely go through the radiator first then auxiliary cooler. Im not sure on feed and return line's, so I'll just keep my yap shut on that one

 

[67 B-body]

Front line is pressure,,, rear line is return....

 

[1948 santa]

If you use steel line make sure to double flare the ends,have used copper in the past easier to work with just doesn't look stock.

 

[wannadrag]

At least run steel up to the cooler.If the aux cooler is ahead of the rad hose will work to it.Ever look behind the grille on some of the new pickups with a aux cooler,connected with rubber hose.

 

[Jasoncoronet]

You can use braided line or any oil resistant line. Just keep it off the exhaust. If you use a braided line you will to have run an fittings. It will get pretty expensive. I think the pre bent lines are about 40-50 bucks. I dont have any clue how you get them in though. It is tight under there. I was working on this over the weekend i gave up trying to bend the lines myself.