I'm using the Russell hose end fittings for my transmission lines and cooler. The Russell website says to use an assembly lube when tightening the hose end down on the hose. It appears to be a simple oil, but I'm not sure what type to use. Any of you seasoned automotive plumbers know what to use?

"assembly lube" is just that, a heavy oil used to assemble engines.

I would take it literally. An alternative would be STP oil treatment.

WD40, it dries out after assy. All you're doing is making it easier to slide the fitting in.

Just for future reference I have viewed about a half dozen or so videos from manufacturers and enthusiasts and everyone recommends something a little different. Most people agree that grease or gear lube works great. Assembly lube works great. We are just trying to keep the fittings from galling not using anything to seal.

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Correct! Pete said he used household oil before with great results. Another friend used some thick crap like molasses. I got some great grease that I will use tonight and let you know how it goes.

I just use motor oil. Never had any issues.

Tape the wrench you use to tighten the fitting down onto the hose. I used to tape the fitting but the tape would tear and stop protecting. Much easier to tape the wrench

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Much easer to use my AN wrenches, Jon.

The set's cheap at Summit.

yep some summit AN wrenches and regular motor oil here.
What I would add is I use a piece of 90* 1 x 1" alluminum angle from lowes. Cut yourself a couple of pieces to fit on both jaws of the vice and place a piece of duct tape on the exposed sides being used to clamp the fitting. The side of the fitting not having the hose end being installed wil be placed in the "soft jaws" of the vice. I also place a thin piece of blue painters tape on the fitting side the wrench is going on (and sometimes on the wrench and the other side as well). The black fittings I use tend to scratch easy. This method allows for the ends to look perfect when finished.
When cutting the braided stainless use some tape on the end before cutting so that it will go in the fitting easier and prevents some finger stabbing....the rest is assembly.

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Yea, you have to tape. The stabbing on older lines (just one strand broken) is why I've switched to push-on but you loose the bling.

Lisle (the speciality auto tool guys) makes a nice set of aluminum vice jaws with magnets that hold them on the vice. And they have angle cuts to hold the hex. $11 online.

But once you use these for assembly, you'll bitch if you don't have them:

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Fair enough...but I didn't have them with me at the track and I wandered the paddock for 20 minutes trying to find someone with a vise in their trailer...

Now mine has one

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Man, don't you hate that? I once wandered the track for an hour looking for a press. Finally got the maintenance guy to open up the track's equipment shop.