Cant get transaxle bypass fittings off...


daytrayd

daytrayd

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Apr 23, 2010
557
Austin, TX
I got the loop off, then got the 90* fittings off, and now Im stuck on the bottom two fittings that have the ~4mm wide 1"+ fitting. I have put some muscle into it but they havent budged. I am using a expandable wrench, maybe the wrong tool? I tried a 1" open ended but couldnt even fit that thing in there, too long.

Any advice? After that it should be easy, Ive been working on the car 8+ hours with the exhaust and this. God this is frustrating.
 
Try squirting a little penetrating oil on 'em and letting that soak in for a while before attacking again.

I can't remember if there's enough room to get a socket wrench over those or not...but barring that, I'd opt for at least box end wrench to get that job done.
 
Last edited:
I can't remember what I used when I removed the bypass line to install the tranny cooler, but can you get a socket on the fittings? I would imagine the adjustable wrench is to wide for the area involved.

John
 
I thing that your wrench is getting hung up and faking you out that the fittings are REAL tight.... Typically they are not that tight.
 
Thanks guys I did think to try a socket, and it fit (7/8"). Popped em off. Now I'm stuck on the end, filling her up. I was told to fill it through the return line, but its backing up and not going into the transaxle. Any other recommendations? Cant wait to get this last step done to hear what she sounds like.

Thanks for the help.
 
daytrayd said:
Thanks guys I did think to try a socket, and it fit (7/8"). Popped em off. Now I'm stuck on the end, filling her up. I was told to fill it through the return line, but its backing up and not going into the transaxle. Any other recommendations? Cant wait to get this last step done to hear what she sounds like.

Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...

Take off the speed sensor and fill through that hole.
 
NM, I think I got it. Dismounted the core, tilted, and filled. Seems to be working. So far so good, cant wait to take her for a spin, she mounds mean!
 
Be careful not to overtighten the fittings when you put it back on. The case is aluminum and can be damaged.
If it drips, make sure correct fitting as some older Ford made transaxle coolers had an issue with fittings.
 
Well crap, I took it out for a spirited drive, and there is leaking by the transaxle fittings. Not a lot, but enough to drip out down the side on the transaxle. I did reuse the copper looking gaskets from the stock fittings, however, the aluminum fitting did not have a recess for them to fit in which I thought seemed off. Do I have the wrong fittings, or should those not have been reused?

Or is it normal to have some leaking when its first filled up? Its definitely working though, the core has very hot after the drive.

Edit: After reading some other posts, it seems its pretty common to not tighten these enough. Considering I used a crappy socket and expandable wrench and went with the "that feels like 30lb" torque wrench, I may want to retry getting those tighter. I'm ordering an an-10 wrench, does that fit both the transaxle and line fitting? I'm not sure which part is leaking. Also I read about an- o-rings, has anyone used those over the copper washer with success?

Thanks for the help guys.
 
Last edited:
As usual the aircraft industry has solved this problem. Try a parker stat-o-seal which is a washer with a captive oring. It will not leak and does not require extraordinary torque. It is good practice to lubricate the oring portion with vasoline or O ring lube before installation. Various people remarket them including Earls. If your hose is not sealing to the fittings try lubricating the cone prior to assembly to help it align properly. If that doesn't work there are conical seals (the milspec aircraft industry solution) made of soft metal that will seal the assembly.
 
Thanks for the reply. I actually went to harbor freight and picked up a set of wrenches similar to AN- wrenches for $30. It had a 1" open end that was only 6" long and once I put it on I knew I had barely torqued one of the fittings. It was way to easy to turn. A couple turns later and problem solved. I almost went to the o-ring solution, but figured I better try the right tool first.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Top Bottom