Getting ready to order parts for my Big Block. What is everyone using for the -12 line these days. Braided or the Push Lock hose. This is on a mostly street car. Push Lock looks like it is easier to work with.

I think the threaded ss gives the best clamping and rock,debris protection but if you are going to clamp the hose in some way and protective sleeve it the push loc could work I think.I have the ss line

Back when I ran the external lines I used push lock. I originally used braided but found it too hard to work with so I moved over to push lock. If I was doing a new motor these days with external lines I'd use the lightweight nylon braided line.

Hows that nylon work out close to headers?

Black nylon braided IMO..Easy to work with and more flexible.

What tricks do you guys know about the black hoses to get them to push all the way on the fittings that I don't know

Any reason why you want to go external? Based on my experiences, I consider those milodon kits a total waste of money for anyone not spinning serious RPM. I run my 400 up to 7100 through the traps with the 3/8ths pickup and never experienced any oiling issues...80lbs rock solid the entire pass. Granted I did go in and massage the large angled oil port in the block to remove the sharp turn...

cab, i'm sure you are aware of the tools out there that can assemble the hose and your fitting by inserting each, then it use a handle to push the fitting into the hose after a little lube on the fitting. these work excellent, but range in price from around $125-350. there are several listings on e-bag under the "push lock tool" subject, but i can't seem to get a direct link to work. i've had luck holding the fitting in my big vice bolted to the floor with a set of wooden jaw inserts that match the fitting being used, then using my body weight to push the hose onto the fitting until the hose bottoms. that can sometimes be a chore. i've tried lubes from wd-40 to syl-glide [rubber lube] including dish washing liquid and cream hand cleaner [without the grit]. sometimes a particular lube works great and not much effort is required, then the next time the previously used lube doesn't seem to work as good. i don't know if this does you any good or not.

I use regular old stainless braided hose. Never failed me in 15 years.

Putting the end in very hot water help make it workable and with some lube like said above