77 - Trans cooler line removal?? - Corvette Forum : DigitalCorvettes.com Corvette Forums

XQIZT · 02-16-2013, 05:01 PM

Getting closer and closer to pulling the motor and I figured I'd pull the motor and trans together.

Is there a trick to getting the trans cooler lines off the body of the trans? There doesn't seem to be any room to get a regular line wrench in there and I don't want to round of the nut with anything else...which would mean buying new lines.

Thanks...

Mooser · 02-16-2013, 06:27 PM

I have a set of crowsfoot line wrenches. That and a long 3/8 extension works pretty good.
Looks more or less like these (mine don't swivel)

HIH
Mooser

XQIZT · 02-16-2013, 06:29 PM

LOL...great I love having to buy tools that I'll only use ONCE.

Thanks for the tip!

Mooser · 02-16-2013, 06:36 PM

Isn't that why they make bigger tool boxes every year

Well they do come in handy for lots of stuff but check your local cheap place for a throwaway set. I just looked quick and your harbor freight place down there has a set of basic ones for $12. Probably good enough.

Mooser

raidmagic · 02-16-2013, 07:33 PM

I don't know how they route them on the C3 but I've pulled engines and trans with them attached before. Just remove them from the radiator and usually they are bolted to the crossmember.

drbluevert · 02-16-2013, 07:38 PM

Those nuts are not usually very tight. Try your regular good quality wrench and if you get worried apply just a little heat.

XQIZT · 02-16-2013, 07:52 PM

Mooser...exactly.

Raid...I was thinking that too. I just do not want to bend these lines. I think they go under the front crossmember, but I'll check again tomorrow.

Drbluevert...They are soaking in PB Blaster until morning. And I NEVER have good luck with line nuts...I can't even count how many I have rounded off.

Tomorrow is another day...

Mooser · 02-16-2013, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raidmagic

I don't know how they route them on the C3 but I've pulled engines and trans with them attached before. Just remove them from the radiator and usually they are bolted to the crossmember.

Actually, I'm not sure about the later years either, on my 72 they run under the frame crossmember and then kick up towards the rad so I have to disconnect at the trans. Maybe the later years they went above the frame, or on the SB?
Mooser

drbluevert · 02-17-2013, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XQIZT

Drbluevert... I NEVER have good luck with line nuts...I can't even count how many I have rounded off.

I never have trouble since I started using this tool:

You Tube

raidmagic · 02-17-2013, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mooser

Actually, I'm not sure about the later years either, on my 72 they run under the frame crossmember and then kick up towards the rad so I have to disconnect at the trans. Maybe the later years they went above the frame, or on the SB?
Mooser

On my 87 they bolted to the top of the crossmember when I had the L-98 in there. I spoke to Mike on the phone today and they go under the crossmember so he'll either need to get them off or just break the damn things and move on.

XQIZT · 02-17-2013, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raidmagic

On my 87 they bolted to the top of the crossmember when I had the L-98 in there. I spoke to Mike on the phone today and they go under the crossmember so he'll either need to get them off or just break the damn things and move on.

I was in total "screw it" mode today. PB Blaster didn't work, heating them with a torch didn't work. Hardly any room in there anyway. So I cut those bitches and moved on with my life.

Yanked the motor and I'm ready to start laying out parts, picking stuff up and getting this thing back on the road. Stay tuned.

XQIZT · 02-17-2013, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drbluevert

I never have trouble since I started using this tool:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eXSO...18D7EDB1B15FBF

Thats a damn sweet tool, but how would you use in on a line nut? I don't see a way to get the coil around the nut.

87vette81big · 02-17-2013, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drbluevert

I never have trouble since I started using this tool:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eXSO...18D7EDB1B15FBF

That is one Very Bad Ass Induction Current Heater Tool !

I must have one like you do

drbluevert · 02-17-2013, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XQIZT

Thats a damn sweet tool, but how would you use in on a line nut? I don't see a way to get the coil around the nut.

This is easy - you just un-wind the coil and loop around the nut.
The tool isn't finicky as long as you can get a few wraps around the object. The video doesn't show half what this tool can do. you can get a huge loop and wrap it around a brake drum - it will come right off in 3 minutes!

I was at a speed shop last week and they were breaking down a 70 Challanger. The mechanics were snaping so many bolts, welding nuts back on and spraying anything they could get their hands on. I told the shop owner I have a way you wont break another bolt - we bet $50 it wouldn't work because they already used a torch. I collected the $50 and he gave me store credit for $300 to use it for the weekend.