'Flaring' the 5/16 coolant lines for Tranny Kit......

[teggenberger]

I'm putting a Tranny Cooler on my 95 3.8L Windstar. The adapter that came with the Tranny Cooler kit (Hayden) doesn't fit into my Radiator. (Don't buy these kits, btw, cause you won't be able to find the adapter - have to special order).
Questions:
What if I just cut (with a pipe cutter) the coolant line so I can attach the kits (rubber) tubing onto each new end?
Do I have to 'flare' the new ends before tightening the O-rings? Is there 'that' much pressure in these lines that it would slip-off if I didn't flare them?

Thanks

[garync1]

When I had tranny lines to break I use to replace with a rubber line but they always failed i guess this is because of high line pressure. This too was on a chevy chevette and the other was a Ford ranger. I even bought a brake rubber line and i thought that it would work but it did not Although I have seen rubber tranmission lines they were big and not sure but i think they had flex line hose steel braided underneath. A flare tool is not really pricey may be worth the investment. Although trannies are not my favorite thing to work on I have had to cut and flare a few before they were on the chevette and ranger and had no problems after the repair. If you do use one, just be very carefull and slowly turn the tool or the line will start to crake were you flare. Maybe someone may have a better Idea but this is my thought. Hope it helps. gary

[12Ounce]

If you do need a flaring tool .... AutoZone includes them in their "free" tool rental program.

[wiswind]

My '96 tranny lines have rubber sections.....I worked with the rubber hose......I bought high pressure hose (fuel injector line) to use. There should NOT be very much pressure in these lines....as they go directly into the pan on the transmission....which is not under pressure. My cooler (Derale) has been in place for almost a year with no problems.....It came with 3/8" fittings and lines.....so I had to adapt them to the 5/16" lines......I bought fittings to do that at the hardware store.....so I have 3/8" hose going in to the adaptor fittings, and 5/16" going out.
Point being....I am more comfortable with the hose taking the flex, versus the hard metal lines.
I would imagine that power steering hose would work (in 5/16" size) also, as the power steering fluid on the windstar is also transmission fluid (a different type than is in the tranny).

[garync1]

Thats good to know on the windstar. I had problems before with rubber hoses on to older cars.if it will work, thats good.