Transmission cooling lines with headers

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Old April 12th, 2024, 05:54 AM
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Transmission cooling lines with headers

What have people done for transmission cooling lines when using headers? 1970 Cutlass S with TH350. It looks like the transmission lines would normally go outside of the exhaust manifold on the frame, whereas with exhaust headers, the header is in the way. Maybe just hand bend them into submission? I have new replacement lines that would work perfectly with exhaust manifolds. Headers, not so much.


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Old April 12th, 2024, 06:01 AM
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I had some hydraulic hoses made to run then up and over the inner fender along side the heater hoses.
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Old April 12th, 2024, 06:06 AM
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Yes, it seems that flexible hoses would be a great way to make custom routing for the lines. Since they are not under a lot of pressure, almost anything would be better than hard lines all the way back. Maybe some –6 AN to hardline adapters and braided lines might be nice.
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Old April 12th, 2024, 06:11 AM
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This is what I did.


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Old April 12th, 2024, 06:17 AM
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Very nice! Mine is factory AC so I will have to come up with a routing scheme.
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Old April 12th, 2024, 06:54 AM
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I used lines for a 72 on my 70 and made a few bends to move them out of the way of the headers and the suspension. The 72 radiator has the top line port much lower then the 70, this helped keep the lines up out of the way.
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...cement-166624/

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Old April 12th, 2024, 08:29 AM
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Originally Posted by 4speed455
I used lines for a 72 on my 70 and made a few bends to move them out of the way of the headers and the suspension. The 72 radiator has the top line port much lower then the 70, this helped keep the lines up out of the way.
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...cement-166624/
^^^This. I've never had a problem that a few minor tweaks didn't resolve. I'm not a fan of rubber or AN lines for trans cooling.
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Old April 12th, 2024, 09:00 AM
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Originally Posted by joe_padavano
^^^This. I've never had a problem that a few minor tweaks didn't resolve. I'm not a fan of rubber or AN lines for trans cooling.
Mine have been on there since 2011 with no issues. Most aux trans coolers use rubber lines.
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Old April 12th, 2024, 09:07 AM
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Originally Posted by oldcutlass
Mine have been on there since 2011 with no issues. Most aux trans coolers use rubber lines.
Lots of aftermarket parts take the easy way out. When you are selling a one-size-fits-all cooler, it's kind of difficult to provide pre-bent hard lines. That doesn't mean it's the best answer. The factory RPO M55 aux trans cooler used hard lines. I find hard lines much easier to route, cleaner looking, and definitely less prone to damage.
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Old April 12th, 2024, 09:32 AM
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I made and flared my own lines for my '72 442 convertible project. I wrapped both lines in heat shrink tubing followed by an outer layer of heat shield material where they pass close to the header tubes.

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Old April 12th, 2024, 12:23 PM
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I ran them along the oil pan rail. 1 or 2 clamps using pan bolts, out the front and to the radiator. They’re visible under regulator, heading past idler arm and past the lower rad hose drain clamp jungle..



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Last edited by bccan; April 12th, 2024 at 12:34 PM.
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Old April 12th, 2024, 01:17 PM
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On my 70 and 71 (both with 350s and AC), I simply bent the factory lines as needed to clear the headers.
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