Tranny coolant line routing

[V-John]

The rubber hoses on my transmission coolant lines were soggy and leaking, so I bought a new set. I planned on labeling which line connected to where on the radiator, but forgot about it and cut the rubber hoses off to make it easier to pull the old steel lines out. Ooof!

Does anyone know which forward and rear line on the tranny connects to the upper and lower connection on the radiator?

Thanks

[cubbear]

coolant lines

I don't think it makes a difference

[simplyconnected]

I agree, it doesn't matter. How much pressure can the radiator take? Well, these are very low pressure lines.

[jopizz]

I believe the original lines only fit one way. I'm not sure if the repros are made to the same specs.

John

[Tbird1044]

Okay, since my car is up on jacks, I climbed under to check it out.
The cooler line that is attached to the top radiator tank connection is connected to the transmission fitting closest to the engine. The lower radiator connection is connected to the transmission at the rear of the transmission.
Hope this helps.
Doesn't look like the lines would be interchangeable.
Also, this is for a 352 eng. with cruisematic.
Nylel

[V-John]

Also, this is for a 352 eng. with cruisematic.
Nylel

Thanks!

The new lines came in 4 steel pieces: 2 long ones to go from the tranny to the front, and 2 different short ones to come off the radiator. I connected them with some hoses. I was hoping they would've come with crimped rubber hoses ready to go, but this worked out fine.

[simplyconnected]

I agree, it doesn't matter...

When I plumb transmission, fuel or brake lines, I cut, bend and flare my own to length. Tubing bends easily, is cheap, and each line only takes a few minutes to make.

When done, I don't use any rubber hoses (except on fuel lines). That is what I meant when I said the lines can be connected to either radiator port. Of course, when you buy pre-bent lines they come as a specific system.

Glad you are happy with your new lines. - Dave

[Tbird1044]

Dave:
Since the radiator is mounted rigid to the frame and the engine and trans have rubber mounts, allowing it to move under load, wouldn't you want the rubber hoses, in the cooler lines, to prevent torque movement against the radiator? The steel lines are pretty long and maybe compensate. Since the trans cooler lines run at such a low pressure, the only down side I see to using some rubber lines is a clamp coming loose to cause a leak.
Nyles

[simplyconnected]

Dave:
Since the radiator is mounted rigid to the frame and the engine and trans have rubber mounts, allowing it to move under load, wouldn't you want the rubber hoses, in the cooler lines, to prevent torque movement against the radiator?..

Good question, Nyles. I thought the same way until I saw 'the big picture' (examples of other Ford car setups from different years). Turns out, the only reason I can think of for using rubber hoses is, ease of assembly.
Check out these examples:





While these examples are not specific to T-bird, they do cross many years and engine types. ("1962/" means from '62 through the end of this 1962-65 catalog.)
Why does the '62 6-cyl Fairlane have rubber hose on only one line while the 8-cyl has it on both? The 6-cyl Falcon has no rubber. So, this can go either way. If you want rubber, go for it. If not, it really isn't necessary. I like these illustrations because they show mounting details. - Dave

[jopizz]

Turns out, the only reason I can think of for using rubber hoses is, ease of assembly. - Dave

Dave,

I think you're right on. Trying to fish the transmission lines on these cars is hard enough. Without the rubber it's next to impossible.

John

[V-John]

A local garage up the street let me use his tubing bender for free to tweak the lines in several places. It certainly needed a little bit here and there. No leaks now, so everything up front should stay dry.

And I feel better now having new upper/lower radiator hoses. The old ones were not only soggy, but barely clamped on, about the width of the hose clamp. New belts, too.

[simplyconnected]

...It certainly needed a little bit here and there...

Now you know why I bend my own.
Store-bought setups nearly always need tweaking and they're expensive (tubing is cheap). Glad to hear your lines and hoses are all good with no leaks. - Dave

[V-John]

Like I mentioned before, I thought they would already have the rubber hoses CRIMPED on them for the price I paid.

[simplyconnected]

John, do they even do that? I mean, I don't think I have ever seen trans lines with crimped hoses. I think it's because these lines are not high pressure. - Dave