Transmission lines

[wheelnut46]

This should be a nice easy question for most of you guys out here, but since I'm still learning, maybe someone could explain it to me.
I started installing a transmission cooler on my truck. I mounted it according to the directions but the directions instructed me to connect to my transmission oil return line from the radiator. Which tube is that? Top or Bottom? My chilton manual doesnt provide any usefull information about that either. Also have you noticed that there arent any extra holes in the radiator support through which to run the cooler hoses? What did you guys do?

 

[95 Silverado]

one of the easiest ways to distinguish which line is the return is to disconnect one of the lines, have a second person crank the engine over, watch the lines and see where the fluid comes out. if it comes out of the line you disconnected, the other line is the return. if the fluid comes out of the cooler on the radiator, the line you disconnected is the return. be careful when cranking it over as it won't take long to see the fluid, if it goes too long it will make a mess. as for the lines you could use a hole saw to make the holes for them to pass through, but usually there is enough space between the radiator tank and core support to fit them through, if necessary once you see where they will run you could bend the core support enough to prevent pinching the lines. don't try to make too sharp of a bend with them, it could cause them to pinch shut.

 

[or2play]

Follow your cooler lines from the radiator back to the transmission. The return line always enters the case on the top. When I did mine I ran the lines through a hole in the front sheetmetal that the a/c lines when through. Hope this helps.

 

[mudhog]

on the radiator the top line is in the bottom is out

 

[wheelnut46]

Thanks for the help.