88 duke. The engine end of the trany cooler hard lines under the car are toast and have been 'bodged' a few times, so a couple of questions.

About half way along (center of the door) the lines cross from running along the outer edge of the car to the center and they look like they have some sort of joint and connector there. Is this standard and if so

On the pic of replacement lines on the FS site it looks like the engine end of the lines have some sort of fitment. Is that true and if so what does it fit into since it looks like the tranny has rubber hoses to connect it to the hard lines. Should the rubber hoses have a mating fitment on them or is the end of the hard line just flared and the rubber hoses clamped on?

What size are the hard lines? The FS wants arounf 120 bucks for a new set but I only need the rear parts so I am thinking to get some tube from inline tube and make up my own.

P.S. Anyone got pics of the engine end of things hard lines, soft lines, fittings etc). Since mine are all busted up and this is my first automagic I have nothing to go on. Thanks.


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Dave

www.ltlfrari.com

[This message has been edited by ltlfrari (edited 10-07-2009).]

I had to replace the ones on my 88 coupe. The factory lines are one piece metal from the radiator to the tranny area, they connect to the tranny with rubber lines (maybe 1-2' long pieces). I believe the metal lines are just flared and then clamped (I know they are clamped, just not sure about the flare).

Here is what I did. Take the old line and go to an automotive store. As for a matching brake line material. Get the green coated lines, as you don't need a bending tool, the coating makes it so you can bend the lines without kinking. Cut the flange off both ends, remove the threaded nuts.

Take the old lines off, but instead of disconnecting them from the radiator, just cut them off about 5-6" from the radiator, make a nice clean cut. Take a screw driver and stick in the left over metal line and flange out the line a little. Take the rest of the old line and use it as a template to match up to the new metal brake lines (I would recommend starting at the back part of the line, where the tranny is and work your way forward.

You may run short on the new metal line, but that is OK.

You should remove the front spare tire tub, for extra room... forgot to mention that.

From the radiator connect up rubber transmission hose and route it out of the way and have it connect up to the new metal lines (this is where the length of the new metal is not really important, but using metal helps keep the line from sagging, like a rubber one would. On the new metal lines, use a screwdriver to slightly flare the ends and connect the rubber hoses to the metal lines and double clamp.

Yeah, it sounds slapped together, but if you do it correctly it will look very nice. I ran the metal lines under the car until I got to the front suspension and from there I ran rubber to the radiator (I didn't have to try to bend a metal line that way). Never had a problem with the lines after this. You will need auto tranny rubber hoses, just get them to match up with the metal line you buy.

NOW, with all that being said, if you just need to replace a section of metal line (pinched or damaged), then you can get something close enough in off the shelf brake line. Just take a piece of the old line with you. Get a compression fitting to match and use that to make a new metal line. I did that for a while but the line kept rusting and leaking, so I just replaced it all.

J.

[This message has been edited by jaskispyder (edited 10-07-2009).]

Based off your description that "factory lines are one piece metal from the radiator to the tranny area" it sounds like someone has already done a repair on my lines since there are connectors about half way along on mine. Looks like I just need to get some new tube and replace what's already there on the back end.
I had to 'flare' the ends of my current lines as you described because whoever bodged up the previous repair just slipped the hoses on the line end without flaring it. Of course it came off eventually, dumping the tranny fluid all over the back of the car and road and leaving the kid stranded. Thank god for AAA. That little incident is probably why I am replacing the reanny now!

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Dave

www.ltlfrari.com

The tranny can hold up to a lot of abuse, but when it dumped on you, it was probably on it's last straw. My step-son drove the 88 coupe with a leaking tranny line and I noticed it before he did. The fluid was low and the tranny was shifting odd, but after the repair and refill, all was better.

I would recommend replacing as much line as possible... just to be sure. You will need to drop the coolant tube from the brackets, but otherwise, it is pretty easy to work with.

J.

[This message has been edited by jaskispyder (edited 10-07-2009).]