Trans cooler lines
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Hudson, OH
Trans cooler lines
Planning on redoing my tranny cooling lines to my new radiator, and bought the 5/16" fitting and copper tubing today. I think OEM's use steel tubing cause it's cheap and they got fancy bending machines, I figured it's be a lot easier to bend and shape the copper tubing for my job.
Does anyone know any reason copper tubing can't be used?
Does anyone know any reason copper tubing can't be used?
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Rio Rancho, NM
Jim,
Copper tubing is typically used with compression fittings, steel lines use the double flares. If you can get the right fitting combination I don't see a major problem.
Don't let bending up steel lines intimidate you, its not as bad as it seems, especially if you have the old ones there as a guide. A servicable tubing bender can be bought fairly cheap at most parts stores.
I made my tranny lines from scratch. Got them right the first time. I got lucky and they came out the right length and everything. I didn't even have to cut and reflare anything.
Bobby
Copper tubing is typically used with compression fittings, steel lines use the double flares. If you can get the right fitting combination I don't see a major problem.
Don't let bending up steel lines intimidate you, its not as bad as it seems, especially if you have the old ones there as a guide. A servicable tubing bender can be bought fairly cheap at most parts stores.
I made my tranny lines from scratch. Got them right the first time. I got lucky and they came out the right length and everything. I didn't even have to cut and reflare anything.
Bobby
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Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Riverside, So Cal
Bobby's got a point about the fittings. I didn't think about that.
On the other hand, the fluid isn't corrosive to copper and copper dissipates the heat better.
Whatever floats your boat, Dude!
On the other hand, the fluid isn't corrosive to copper and copper dissipates the heat better.
Whatever floats your boat, Dude!
Last edited by Randy Jack; Apr 24, 2007 at 04:08 PM.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: NM
It depends. The copper lines you buy at the hardware store are thin-wall and malleable copper so that they can be bent. They don't have very good resistance to vibration stress, and can crack. Believe it or not, water looks "thick" to compression fittings, hot oil doesn't. It's hard to get a tight seal on oil lines with compression fittings. Be sure to support the lines properly and allow some flex for engine movement relative to the radiator/cooler.
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,970
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From: Rio Rancho, NM
Originally Posted by bememe
Ditto what Albuq F1 said. My vote would be steel. Hardest part is the flaring but usually a couple practice flares will do the trick.
Bobby
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Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Saskatoon SK Canada
When I get mine done, I'm going to get some hydraulic hose made. Sure it's a little overkill but it is easy to install and can be routed out of the way.
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From: Hudson, OH
fittings on tube
Hey, Bobby, I've done that too. I think it's part of the initiation to being a do-it-yourselfer.
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From: Hudson, OH
T C Tubes
After your comments and some reading on the subject, I'm gonna route coat hanger wire to plan the routing and go buy the steel tubing. Do you have to have a double flare, or not. I have the single flaring tools, but hesitate to buy the double set, little pricey for a one time use. But if it is supposed to be double flared, I'll figure out some way to get it done.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: NM
There are hydraulic service companies around here that will make up a length to the shape you want with the flares and hardware on it, for a pretty reasonable price.
The downside to steel is that you have to design it to be flexible; include some bends, don't run straight to the cooler.
The downside to steel is that you have to design it to be flexible; include some bends, don't run straight to the cooler.
