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Oil cooler lines?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by rustynewyorker, Jul 20, 2013.

  1. I have a problem with an O/T daily. It has an oil cooler in the radiator and I had to change the radiator out. The lines into it come off the oil filter housing.

    Trouble is, I twisted the end off one - corroded together inside and it was old and aluminum so it didn't take much.

    Now that shouldn't be a big deal, but the right line for my vehicle does not seem to exist. Nobody has it. The GM parts counter even gave me numbers for the wrong part. It looks like to save money they used the same section with the hose on models with both in radiator and external oil coolers, and added a metal line section to run to the radiator on those vehicles. Well, that section is what's broke, although I could care less if the replacement replaces the entire thing. All the parts and part numbers I find for my application are just the 14" hose section, and not the additional 26" or so of metal line.


    Lines are big aluminum tube with a piece of hose to allow for movement, 3/4 standard fittings with an O-ring, male one end, female the other end.


    Now I can get one for a diesel with a 20MM fitting on one end - just a tad larger. If that will thread in, I'll try it. I suppose if I had a way to chase the threads I could even knock the difference off the fitting and be good. It's only like .03" - maybe that's so little it's dumb to even ask if there's a difference?


    Anyone have any other ideas? Where would I go to have one made, a hydraulic line supplier?


    It amazes me that for a vehicle so common something so basic does not exist. They made millions of these things and tons are still on the road.
     
    Last edited: Jul 20, 2013
  2. SMOG_GUY
    Joined: Jun 28, 2011
    Posts: 388

    SMOG_GUY
    Member
    from Dinuba

  3. Pickup lines I can get, its a van. I can literally get every possible combination except the one I have - and they change even the fittings depending on what engine you have. I don't know why, because it's very common.

    I'm going to try some local hose specialists and see what they say.


    I hate even asking here because the vehicle itself is o/t, but if someone else wants to use this vehicle for a donor for the engine and so on, it could be a problem for them too.
     
  4. Bad Eye Bill
    Joined: Sep 1, 2010
    Posts: 841

    Bad Eye Bill
    Member
    from NB Canada

    If I remember right, these lines go into a block/spacer between the oil filter and the engine block. At the shop where I used to work I seem to remember removing that spacer and mounting the filter directly to the engine block, it's been awhile though, I may have forgotten something.
     
  5. SMOG_GUY
    Joined: Jun 28, 2011
    Posts: 388

    SMOG_GUY
    Member
    from Dinuba

    Made-up hydraulic line, wrecking yard.
    I suspect the pickup version is longer, maybe put a tasteful bend in a new one to adjust length?
     
  6. Engine man
    Joined: Jan 30, 2011
    Posts: 3,480

    Engine man
    Member
    from Wisconsin

    Some auto parts stores make these lines. You take the original in and they make new ones. Hydraulic hose suppliers might make them too. I would make it out of steel instead of aluminum.
     
  7. Seem to recall that you have to replace the adaptor, so it's the same as converting from canister to spin-on.

    So you really didn't forget much.

    Cosmo
     
  8. Pickup has different fitting on the filter end. That's what I'm getting at - instead of making all of the damn things the same, like someone with common sense would do, not only is pickup different from van but even different engines are different fittings or configurations. Rebending is no big deal - but it has to attach.

    If I had the tools I could probably cut the fitting off my old line, cut the end off the pickup line, add the old fitting and flare it, but it's big line - bigger even than fuel line - and who knows how well the aluminum will flare compared to steel line.

    It annoys me greatly that this isn't a go buy it and put it on deal. It's not a damn Bugatti, it's a Chevy.
     
  9. SMOG_GUY
    Joined: Jun 28, 2011
    Posts: 388

    SMOG_GUY
    Member
    from Dinuba

    In my town we have access to several 40 year veterans of the auto parts wars.
    When I'm completely stumped in a situation like this I just gather everything up in a bag and spill it out in front of our guys.
    It's amazing what these guys can come up with.
    I guess the hot rodder in me would mount a remote oil filter adaptor where the other adaptor went and mount the filter and cooler appropriately?
    There's got to be an elegant solution. Don
     
  10. saltflats
    Joined: Aug 14, 2007
    Posts: 13,061

    saltflats
    Member
    from Missouri

    How about a compression fitting to adapt your end on the new line.
    Or call some repair shops and see if someone bought into the tubs and hoses outfit theres one in or town and thay can make a lot of oddball stuff.
     
  11. Hotram 87
    Joined: Jul 3, 2013
    Posts: 2

    Hotram 87
    Member

    Try a tractor / construction equipment like Case, Cat, New Holland etc... They can generally make up anything and sometimes have to with all the old stuff still in operation. I have a commercial Cub Cadet and they also service Ford Tractor / New Holland I am amazed at what they do.
     
  12. chinarus
    Joined: Nov 9, 2010
    Posts: 527

    chinarus
    Member
    from Georgia

    You could eliminate the oil cooler and adapter with a $10 - $20 filter adapter from Autozone, OReillys, etc while you chase down lines.

    The oil cooler setup also came on some L98 SBC in the late 80s:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGixHWtn8fY
     
  13. mustang6147
    Joined: Feb 26, 2010
    Posts: 1,847

    mustang6147
    Member
    from Kent, Ohio

    If the oil cooler lines come off the oil filter housing, you can simply plug them, that's what I did.

    I would not want oil cooler lines going into my radiator anyways....
     
  14. LWEL9226
    Joined: Jul 7, 2012
    Posts: 355

    LWEL9226
    Member
    from So. Oregon

    What he said....
     
  15. safari-wagon
    Joined: Jan 12, 2008
    Posts: 1,457

    safari-wagon
    Member

    The local NAPA is full of hose repair kits that I never thought of.

    Plus our local one makes hoses up for various things, like Cats, etc.

    Try them.



    Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
     
  16. Seems to me like the p/u version should be the same length. You would need to buy the fitting for the housing (some have a metal clip and some have a plastic clip). Not sure if it's the same thread type.
    [​IMG]

    Buy the hose (one piece aluminum and rubber hose).

    maybe you might have to buy the radiator fittings.

    Does it look like this?

    http://parts.nalleygmc.com/showAssembly.aspx?ukey_assembly=382654&ukey_driveline=0&ukey_trimlevel=15583&modelYear=ALL&ukey_model=14511&ukey_modelrange=0&ukey_make=1024
     
  17. Napa wants like $10 up front to order anything in, apparently business is so bad they can't risk the shipping on non-stock items anymore.


    .03 larger (if my math is right) on the 20mm fitting versus 3/4" won't work, eh?
     
  18. Well, I'll be damned.

    That's the first anything that actually shows what my van has. Part 12 in the diagram is what I need. How did you find that?

    Even there, it says that line is for a 6.2 diesel. According to one website where they sell a one-piece line for that application, it's standard on the oil filter end and metric on the radiator end. Who knows, maybe that's even correct.


    I have to say this wouldn't be the first time this hunk of junk has been contrary - when I needed a belt for it, all the diagrams say it should have an idler on the right side below the A/C compressor. It doesn't, and as a result the belt needs to be shorter to fit. I wound up going by trial and error to find the right one.
     
  19. stimpy
    Joined: Apr 16, 2006
    Posts: 3,546

    stimpy

    just to let you know the fitting in the radiator is 18mm, speedway has the fittings for a/n its in the powersteering section , I had to make my lines for my P/u when the hose burst at the swedge between the hose and tube , and I made them from A/N braided , cost as much to make it up as the OEm parts cost when they had them . and the fttings on the block scoggins dickey chevy had the adaptors to convert to a/n as you needed a diverter on it the problem with the hose is it gets hot and breaks down and leaks , I tried a hydraulic hose on a customers truck and it wound up turning to mush by the fittings , Earls perform oflex holds up best ( been 13 years now )
     
  20. Engine man
    Joined: Jan 30, 2011
    Posts: 3,480

    Engine man
    Member
    from Wisconsin

    Wouldn't that put the filter on bypass?
     
  21. Marcosmadness
    Joined: Dec 19, 2010
    Posts: 373

    Marcosmadness
    Member
    from California

    Here locally we have a shop called, ironically, "The Hose Shop"...really, that is the name. They make all sorts of lines and hoses and sell various hose and line fittings. They make replacement hoses and lines for semi trucks, forklifts, buses, cars, you name it. Hoses range from really small 1/8 inch to hoses and lines over a couple of inches in diameter in both metric and SAE. Customers bring in their busted hoses/lines and the shop makes them a new one, usually while you wait. There should be a similar business in your local area since the majority of their business is from auto, truck, and hydraulic business customers. The Hose Shop runs their ads in the yellow pages under "Hose Couplings and Fittings". You might look in your local yellow pages for a similar listing since there should be shop offering the same services in your local area. Here is a link to the shop near me in Santa Cruz California, www.thehoseshop.com. Their phone number is (831) 425-4673. I would be surprised if they couldn't help you. There is another business in San Jose California (30 miles away)called "Royal Brass" that does the same thing. But, as I said, there is probably a shop nearer to you since every area that has any volume of industry is going to have a need for this type of shop.
     
  22. 59 brook
    Joined: Jun 12, 2005
    Posts: 1,016

    59 brook
    Member

    take the pieces to a hydraulic hose company . in the past they have cut the ends of a line ,welded on -6 male ends and then they made the appropriate hose length for me
     
  23. The one gas motor it has:
    "ENGINE,5.3L(323CID) GAS V8 5.3-M ALUM W/CYL DEACTIVATION(LH6)"
     
  24. I used to pull wrenches for GM, and from my experience (keep in ind I'm in a smaller area with limited supply) there is NOTHING that will work as a substitute. The threads are different than anything our local ag supplier can come up with. (the oil filter end does use a pipe thread adapter to connect to the hose though). I have removed the lines and plugged them, and a friend took his lines and cut the aluminum lines back enough to put on compression fittings and use hydraulic line. Those aluminum lines are TERRIBLE, and will only leak again in the near future at the crimps.

    Regarding trying to change the size of the threads ----- I wouldn't try it, as I've seen those lines pop out when not clipped in properly and trust me, the oil comes out very quickly - resulting in engine failure. (I can honestly say it didn't happen to me, but did to a coworker and cost our shop an engine)
     
  25. barslazyr
    Joined: May 30, 2009
    Posts: 339

    barslazyr
    Member

    Do you have an older small block with a spin on filter? If you do just remove the adapter and change it out for the one on the van. Just did this on our 93 pu
     
  26. Ain't that the truth.........:eek:
     

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