I got REALLY lucky!!!!! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

79BIG10 · 03-19-2004, 01:49 AM

Well as some of you may know I've been working on a transmission cooler and redo all my tranny lines to steel rather than steel/rubber combinations.

After a few long trips to the auto stores finding the right parts (of course we don't have them at Home Depot where I work

). So I started and installed the steel lines to the tranny then to the radiator to get me by until I had more time. This has been on going for awhile. After doing all the necessary bends and everything I go to flare the last of the pipe. Well of course Murphy Law comes in and my flare tool won't hold the pipe strong enough to flare it. No matter how tight I got it with wrench etc. still slipping. I took it and cleaned out the grooves and still wouldn't hold it. So another trip to store (each trip at lease 20 minutes each way). While I was there I flared everything I needed to after renting the tool. Came back home and let truck cool. Had cooler already installed just needed the lines done from radiator to cooler and the connection to the radiator. Well got everything hooked up and fixed a couple leaks from loose connections. I look down and the tranny bottom line is just gushing out fluid. I shut it down and wipe up the fluid. Truck is still cool enough to work on it so I tighten up the connection then it happens- SNAP!!! Yeah I overtightened the connection. Well the one that the inverted flare goes into snapped flush with the tranny housing. No way I could get this out with a socket, wrench anything. I thought I was screwed!! Well here's where I got lucky- I grabbed a couple screwdrivers and finally found one that's small enough to get in there. So I pry enough to turn it to where it would start coming out. It finally starts working itself out. I get it out and look at the inverted flare and pipe. The other piece of crap that broke was still on there. I thought to myself damn it!! I've got to cut the line then have to go to teh auto parts store to get flared!! Well I grab it and the piece slides over the flare!! Man I was lucky again!! So I grabbed the spare connector I had to fit in the tranny and hooked up the line. Checked for leaks and looks good. Truck runs a couple degrees cooler now

ocbaud · 03-19-2004, 02:11 AM

any pictures of the install?

i'll be doing mine nice and neat as soon as i get money after a lot of other stuff. for now, it should work, even though it doesnt look great

Russell · 03-19-2004, 02:30 AM

I installed a small tranny cooler too, I don't have any leaks, but I want to redo the rubber lines with some nice steel ones asap. I need one little fitting to achieve it. What I need is a little fitting that the hose from the tranny cooler slides over, and then tighten the hose from the tranny onto it via it's steel pipe. The overall install went really good otherwise, minus the typical cuts from the radiator....

Blue Beard · 03-19-2004, 09:45 AM

Guess I've had more luck or practice...never had anything like that happen...and hope I never do...

Destructo · 03-19-2004, 12:01 PM

I'll be installing my cooler this weekend hopefully after several months of telling myself I need one, but summer is coming and I decided I better get it before it gets too warm. I'll probably just use whatever comes with the B&M kit cause I am not TOO worried about what it looks like on my truck.

boraxman · 03-19-2004, 03:32 PM

Ive been thinking about a deep aluminum pan for mine.

Russell · 03-19-2004, 04:36 PM

You can't even see mine. I just mounted it on the front of the rad. The only thing you can see is the little hoses coming around front of the rad. I have every intention of fixing my redneck job as soon as I find a hitch to install on my truck.

LOHRTBT · 03-19-2004, 05:55 PM

WHEW! Glad it worked out in the end!

79BIG10 · 03-22-2004, 12:53 AM

No pics as of yet Eric. I'll try and get some up here. It's not the prettiest sites but it's functional and just got back from a trip to my parent's house (about 2-3 hours away) and ran beautiful.

**N2TRUX** · 03-22-2004, 03:36 PM

You did get lucky. Everytime something like that happens to me I get screwed. You will really apprecaite the trouble you went through when you don't have any more tranny fluid leaks.

I did that same thing before on an 88 I had. In the end it was well worth the hassle...

03-19-2004, 01:49 AM	#1
79BIG10 I'm back with 2nd truck! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 3,775	I got REALLY lucky!!!!! Well as some of you may know I've been working on a transmission cooler and redo all my tranny lines to steel rather than steel/rubber combinations. After a few long trips to the auto stores finding the right parts (of course we don't have them at Home Depot where I work ). So I started and installed the steel lines to the tranny then to the radiator to get me by until I had more time. This has been on going for awhile. After doing all the necessary bends and everything I go to flare the last of the pipe. Well of course Murphy Law comes in and my flare tool won't hold the pipe strong enough to flare it. No matter how tight I got it with wrench etc. still slipping. I took it and cleaned out the grooves and still wouldn't hold it. So another trip to store (each trip at lease 20 minutes each way). While I was there I flared everything I needed to after renting the tool. Came back home and let truck cool. Had cooler already installed just needed the lines done from radiator to cooler and the connection to the radiator. Well got everything hooked up and fixed a couple leaks from loose connections. I look down and the tranny bottom line is just gushing out fluid. I shut it down and wipe up the fluid. Truck is still cool enough to work on it so I tighten up the connection then it happens- SNAP!!! Yeah I overtightened the connection. Well the one that the inverted flare goes into snapped flush with the tranny housing. No way I could get this out with a socket, wrench anything. I thought I was screwed!! Well here's where I got lucky- I grabbed a couple screwdrivers and finally found one that's small enough to get in there. So I pry enough to turn it to where it would start coming out. It finally starts working itself out. I get it out and look at the inverted flare and pipe. The other piece of crap that broke was still on there. I thought to myself damn it!! I've got to cut the line then have to go to teh auto parts store to get flared!! Well I grab it and the piece slides over the flare!! Man I was lucky again!! So I grabbed the spare connector I had to fit in the tranny and hooked up the line. Checked for leaks and looks good. Truck runs a couple degrees cooler now __________________ 1979 Chevrolet Bonanza Big10 "Tootsie Roll" 1985 Chevrolet Silverado (wife's) Member of the Southern Bowties Club "Don't underestimate how sexy a fat man who drinks to excess can be." Homer Simpson

03-19-2004, 02:30 AM	#3
Russell Professional Grade Join Date: May 2003 Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta Posts: 7,915	I installed a small tranny cooler too, I don't have any leaks, but I want to redo the rubber lines with some nice steel ones asap. I need one little fitting to achieve it. What I need is a little fitting that the hose from the tranny cooler slides over, and then tighten the hose from the tranny onto it via it's steel pipe. The overall install went really good otherwise, minus the typical cuts from the radiator.... __________________ 1995 Chevrolet 2 Door Tahoe (6.6L LBZ Duramax / ZF6 / NP241 with 1 ton solid axle swap)

03-19-2004, 09:45 AM	#4
Blue Beard Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Washington State Posts: 8,834	Guess I've had more luck or practice...never had anything like that happen...and hope I never do... __________________ 1970 Chev CST 2003 Harley Fatboy 1975 Chevrolet Step Van 1956 Chev Bel Air 1977 Blazer 2WD For Sale $3000.00 1978 Blazer 2WD For Sale $7000.00 1978 Silverado 2005 Monte Carlo

03-19-2004, 12:01 PM	#5
Destructo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Lewisville, NC Posts: 1,836	I'll be installing my cooler this weekend hopefully after several months of telling myself I need one, but summer is coming and I decided I better get it before it gets too warm. I'll probably just use whatever comes with the B&M kit cause I am not TOO worried about what it looks like on my truck. __________________ 1985 Scottsdale Shortbed 4x4 Stout 350 with some "upgrades"-700r4-33x12.5" Mud Tires, Warn 8274-50 winch. 2005 Chevrolet Colorado Regular Cab 2wd 4-banger, 5 speed, Street Pack with 3.73 axle.

03-19-2004, 03:32 PM	#6
boraxman Keepin an eye out Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: So.Cal Posts: 3,921	Ive been thinking about a deep aluminum pan for mine. __________________ 1970 Chevy C10 SWB 5.3 1996 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 2007 Vespa GTS 250 Scooter ZIP 91351

03-19-2004, 02:11 AM	#2
ocbaud Garage Queen Material Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: USA Posts: 4,129	any pictures of the install? i'll be doing mine nice and neat as soon as i get money after a lot of other stuff. for now, it should work, even though it doesnt look great

03-19-2004, 04:36 PM	#7
Russell Professional Grade Join Date: May 2003 Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta Posts: 7,915	You can't even see mine. I just mounted it on the front of the rad. The only thing you can see is the little hoses coming around front of the rad. I have every intention of fixing my redneck job as soon as I find a hitch to install on my truck. __________________ 1995 Chevrolet 2 Door Tahoe (6.6L LBZ Duramax / ZF6 / NP241 with 1 ton solid axle swap)

03-19-2004, 05:55 PM	#8
LOHRTBT BeWarE tHe eViL CrAnkTOe! Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Yukon, OK Posts: 3,605	WHEW! Glad it worked out in the end! __________________ ~Dave~ You can call me Mike, Mike Oxlong - 1986 Chevy SWB - Stock for now - *1986 Chevy Custom SWB* *Stolen 6/26/05* - 1985 Chevy SWB SOLD - 1999 T/A Some mods www.cardomain.com/id/ramairdave AIM Screenname - Jester84

03-22-2004, 12:53 AM	#9
79BIG10 I'm back with 2nd truck! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 3,775	No pics as of yet Eric. I'll try and get some up here. It's not the prettiest sites but it's functional and just got back from a trip to my parent's house (about 2-3 hours away) and ran beautiful. __________________ 1979 Chevrolet Bonanza Big10 "Tootsie Roll" 1985 Chevrolet Silverado (wife's) Member of the Southern Bowties Club "Don't underestimate how sexy a fat man who drinks to excess can be." Homer Simpson

03-22-2004, 03:36 PM	#10
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,023	You did get lucky. Everytime something like that happens to me I get screwed. You will really apprecaite the trouble you went through when you don't have any more tranny fluid leaks. I did that same thing before on an 88 I had. In the end it was well worth the hassle... __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"



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