Hi all... I'm making some progress converting my '79 to a
BTO TH-2004r! I put the new transmission in the car this weekend, but have a couple of questions.

The original "hard" cooling lines ran between the lower A-arm and the crossmember, and were held in place by a clamp. There's just enough room there so they won't get crushed if the suspension goes into full compression.

BTO provided their "lines made EZ" which includes 2 sections of braided stainless line from the radiator back, and 2 sections of hard line from the trans. forward. I can see NO WAY the hard lines can be routed up against the oil pan (where the originals did). In fact, they seem to be VERY close the the exhaust manifold (approx. 1" or so).

Has anyone worked with these lines? The flex lines are MUCH bigger around than the old hard lines and I'm concerned they could easily get pinched or crushed. The hard lines are (intentionally) too long and I'm not sure how much of the tubing needs to go into the flex line. The two connect by means of a compression fitting on the flex lines.

I'm tempted to purchase some Russell's lines and fittings and make my own full-length lines, then route them up against the front crossmember just inside the lower A-arm, and then back along the oil pan. I would have to figure out a way to clamp them in a couple of places so they're not just flopping around.

Thanks for any help offered!

I just useed the stock hard lines and adjusted them to fit. Wasn't to bad. BTO did tell me to change the lines so the one that originaly attached to the bottom of the radiator would go to the top instead which meant I had to take and bend the end a little. I decided to put a trans cooler in as well. The flow of fluid goes through the cooler and then into the radiator. Worked out nice.