What is the trick for installing new rubber hose over the metal flair???  On my 82, the parts manual list the hose as 5/16 inch ID.  I used "Evil Energy" ID 5/16 Transmission Oil Cooler Hose 250 PSI W.P.SAE J1532.  This hose is higher spec'd than OEM. After hours of forcing the hoses I finally got new ones installed. I did this first install before installing the new radiator so I had lots of room to work.  

On my second test drive one of the new hose split and I had to tow the car home.  To get those hoses on took way more effort than it should.  I have to assume with all the twisting and pushing the flared end must have created a weakness in the hose allowing the rupture.  Watched Utube's and everyone slides new hoses on like radiator hoses - just slide on with a little push/twist. 

Today I  bought some Gates 5/16 Tranny hose in the hope it may be slightly more pliable --- NOPE.  Hard as hell to just get the hose started over the flare.  5/16 hose seems to look like the original hose, and 1/2 would be too large.

Heating the reinforced hose did not seem to work (maybe I did not heat enough but cant heat the other end when I need to attach to radiator connector) .  A little silicone spray on the metal flare didn't seem to work either (again, maybe I didnt use enough spray for fear of contaminating the inside hose).  I removed the front sway bar for a little better access but I cant seem to get my hand up into the area to get enough pressure on the hose.

What is the trick to pushing this hose onto the flared ends?

Lifetime Member #58
Our 82CE

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Try 3/8" hose... 

Verify if you actually have 5/16" metal lines also. If you have 5/16" lines, 5/16" hose will slip right on without much trouble, and should NOT have split as you describe, unless it is 30 years old...

Joel Adams
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What Mr. Apple said.  If the fitting is larger than 5/16 you will have trouble. 

At the garage where I help out at occasionally my friend uses silicone grease to assist with getting tight hoses on.  He coats the fitting not the hose.  He claims the grease also helps to keep the hose from "bonding" to the fitting making it easier to remove.  He's been wrenching for 50 years so I have no reason to doubt the "tricks" he uses.

Jim Olson 

"The Toys"...!!!  Save the Wave!

Where I've been in a Corvette...!!!

Yeah, i have to agree with the others - try 3/8". That looks TIGHT. The hose in the picture you posted looks like a snake trying to eat a sewer main. I'm surprised you managed to get it on at all. 

Just a quick update, The 3/8 hose worked perfect, no fuss no muss, as the saying goes.  This time I did not use the standard hose clamps with all the slots as I find the strip easily.  I checked the build manual and it used the solid clamps.

Lifetime Member #58
Our 82CE

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