GPModJ
05-31-2004, 09:09 AM
A few weeks ago I decided to change the tranny cooler lines running from the tranny to the rad & back (TH400). The I had to bend the factory lines out of the way of my headers and the result was pretty ugly looking. Moreover, I had a tranny cooler line pop off on me and spray tranny fluid all over the engine and headers, resulting in an excellent smoke show. I wanted to avoid a repeat by going to threaded connections. Anyway, a simple task I thought (and it is but not as simple as I'd thought).
I got 12 feet of AN-6 braided line, four 1/4" NPT to AN-6 fittings, and four AN-6 hose ends. I went to install the new line last weekend but ended up waiting because the fittings on the transmission just didn't seem right. There are large hexagonal fittings that accept the flared end of the OEM tranny lines. The OEM fittings looked as though they'd accept the 1/4" to AN-6 fittings I'd bought but when I tried screwing one in it didn't fit. The thread is different and if you force it, it'll strip the fitting (I almost did that but didn't force the fitting in).
The hexagonal fittings looked as though they would unscrew and I tried removing one with an air ratchet but it wouldn't budge. So I gave up for the weekend and asked around.
Turns out there are two ways you can go about it. The first way is to get a breaker bar and simply get that hexagonal fitting out of there. That's what I did and the 1/4" to AN-6 fitting screwed right in where the hexagonal fitting was without any problems. It looks like it worked, as I don't have any leaks.
Apparently, you can also buy reverse flare adapters that screw into the hexagonal adapters in the transmission housing--taking the place of the flared OEM tube ending. I'm told that's the best way to ensure you don't strip any threads or have any leaks afterward. I can see why that's "safer" way to go, as the hexagonal adapters have a nice wide washer between the adapter and the transmission housing that helps seal. If you screw in the 1/4" to AN-6 adapter, you're increasing the likelihood of a leak (though lots of people have done what I have without having leaks).
Also, I'm told there is some risk of striping the threads in the transmission case when you're taking out the old hexagonal adapter. If your tranny is old, there's no telling how tight it is--though it came right out for me when I had enough leverage. The Aeroquip part number for the reverse flare adapter is FCM2964--or so I'm told. I didn't go that route.
I got 12 feet of AN-6 braided line, four 1/4" NPT to AN-6 fittings, and four AN-6 hose ends. I went to install the new line last weekend but ended up waiting because the fittings on the transmission just didn't seem right. There are large hexagonal fittings that accept the flared end of the OEM tranny lines. The OEM fittings looked as though they'd accept the 1/4" to AN-6 fittings I'd bought but when I tried screwing one in it didn't fit. The thread is different and if you force it, it'll strip the fitting (I almost did that but didn't force the fitting in).
The hexagonal fittings looked as though they would unscrew and I tried removing one with an air ratchet but it wouldn't budge. So I gave up for the weekend and asked around.
Turns out there are two ways you can go about it. The first way is to get a breaker bar and simply get that hexagonal fitting out of there. That's what I did and the 1/4" to AN-6 fitting screwed right in where the hexagonal fitting was without any problems. It looks like it worked, as I don't have any leaks.
Apparently, you can also buy reverse flare adapters that screw into the hexagonal adapters in the transmission housing--taking the place of the flared OEM tube ending. I'm told that's the best way to ensure you don't strip any threads or have any leaks afterward. I can see why that's "safer" way to go, as the hexagonal adapters have a nice wide washer between the adapter and the transmission housing that helps seal. If you screw in the 1/4" to AN-6 adapter, you're increasing the likelihood of a leak (though lots of people have done what I have without having leaks).
Also, I'm told there is some risk of striping the threads in the transmission case when you're taking out the old hexagonal adapter. If your tranny is old, there's no telling how tight it is--though it came right out for me when I had enough leverage. The Aeroquip part number for the reverse flare adapter is FCM2964--or so I'm told. I didn't go that route.