4R70W Explorer Cooler Lines and Exhaust Clearance

[meanjean73]

I need to run cooler lines and was curious how the Explorer lines ran? Do they hug the engine then need to be trimmed for the Bronco radiator?

I assume the donor vehicle was any Explorer with a 5.0L?

I have shortly headers and was really curious about clearing the exhaust right where the cooler lines attach to the transmission. Any pictures of your cooler line routing would be great!

I have used rubber lines with the C-4 and this will not work as they run too close to the exhaust.

Wasn't sure if I should bend my own or spend the $60 on two cooler lines by Doorman.

Thanks

 

[EricLar80]

I don't have pictures, but I just bought that green rigid brake line from Napa and bent it to shape to get up front to the grill, then ran soft lines to the connections points themselves. I have an external cooler as well as the one built into the radiator. The green line bends really easily by hand and looks nice if you take your time. It may have cost $15 for parts.

Also, wherever I have rigid lines and shift cables pass by exhaust, I always cover that section with a piece of rubber hose to act as a cheap and simple heat shield. Get a 6" piece of 3/8" hose, slit it lengthwise, and slip it over the rigid line. The hose will get hot, but it cannot transfer heat as quickly to the fluid as the metal line by itself, and the hard line coating wont be damaged by the heat either.

 

[Cooter_76]

I don't have pictures, but I just bought that green rigid brake line from Napa and bent it to shape to get up front to the grill, then ran soft lines to the connections points themselves. I have an external cooler as well as the one built into the radiator. The green line bends really easily by hand and looks nice if you take your time. It may have cost $15 for parts.

Also, wherever I have rigid lines and shift cables pass by exhaust, I always cover that section with a piece of rubber hose to act as a cheap and simple heat shield. Get a 6" piece of 3/8" hose, slit it lengthwise, and slip it over the rigid line. The hose will get hot, but it cannot transfer heat as quickly to the fluid as the metal line by itself, and the hard line coating wont be damaged by the heat either.

This is what I did too. The Explorer lines hug the engine nicely, but if I remember correctly, they wouldn't clear my headers.

I added a heat sleeve after this pic was taken.

 

[904Bronco]

Explorer lines with heat wrap with cast iron manifolds

I reused the donor Explorer ones, and extended as needed.

 

[meanjean73]

This is what I did too. The Explorer lines hug the engine nicely, but if I remember correctly, they wouldn't clear my headers.

How did you secure the hard lines to the frame? Shouldn’t there be some flex between the engine and frame?

Your headers look the same as mine so I think your setup will work for me.

 

[Cooter_76]

How did you secure the hard lines to the frame? Shouldn’t there be some flex between the engine and frame?

Your headers look the same as mine so I think your setup will work for me.

It's hard to see from the photo below, but basically, I secured a pair of rubber-coated clamps to the frame rail beneath the battery tray. Should have enough room to flex between there and the transmission. Headers are Duff's ceramic-coated shorties.