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TH400 Fluid Lines - Tips / Tricks for installation

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Old Aug 26, 2020 | 09:17 AM
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Default TH400 Fluid Lines - Tips / Tricks for installation

Hey CF,
I have a couple of projects im going to be tackling over the next week or so. Parts are on the way!
One of them is replacing the TH400 fluid lines that go from the trans to the Rad.
Im also replacing the rad (This is another project - the old one is leaking) so ill likely have the shroud out of the way..This should help..
What am I in for? The inlet / outlet on the TH400 arent that accessible. Id prefer not to completely disassemble the car to get this done
Im looking for tips / tricks on how to gain more access to the trans and the routing of the steel lines.

Thanks in advance.

Stu


.
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Old Aug 26, 2020 | 09:56 AM
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You have jumped the shark just a little bit
First, do you know you have to remove the radiator before you can remove the shroud? (with the shroud loosen you cannot get the radiator inlet/outlet tubes to clear front A-arms) with hood off it will get you the extra clearance needed between AC condenser and A-arms
Second, does your car have AC? , If so you will most likley have to remove your hood, and loosen up the AC condenser

Leaking lines? from rust or worn thru from rubbing?, or is it leaking and the (2) rubber lines @ the radiator? I have never seen leaking steel cooling lines on a Vette, but the rubber stub lines or loose fittings will

First you will need a good set of Hydraulic / brake line wrenches. the (2) fittings on the trans are very tight but should be do able.
second loosen upper hose clamp on rubber hose @ top radiator fitting, disconnect hose from fitting. then crawl under the car and do the same to the lower rubber line @ the lower radiator fitting
Third undo clamps on oil pan bolts, un thread old lines (bend) and remove, then re thread new lines (bend and un bend), re install clamps, reconnect fittings to trans. re install new rubber stub lines and reconnect to radiator fittings with formed stub tubes.
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Old Aug 26, 2020 | 10:20 AM
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I'll add that a set of crowsfoot wrenches and a couple of long 3/8 extensions make getting at the fittings on the trans much easier
You can get regular crowsfoot but there are also linewrench versions that wrap around a bit more and have 12 pts
M
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Old Aug 26, 2020 | 11:51 AM
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Originally Posted by Mooser
I'll add that a set of crowsfoot wrenches and a couple of long 3/8 extensions make getting at the fittings on the trans much easier
You can get regular crowsfoot but there are also linewrench versions that wrap around a bit more and have 12 pts
M
This is helpful info. Thank you
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Old Aug 26, 2020 | 12:03 PM
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Originally Posted by walleyfisher
You have jumped the shark just a little bit
First, do you know you have to remove the radiator before you can remove the shroud? (with the shroud loosen you cannot get the radiator inlet/outlet tubes to clear front A-arms) with hood off it will get you the extra clearance needed between AC condenser and A-arms
Second, does your car have AC? , If so you will most likley have to remove your hood, and loosen up the AC condenser

Leaking lines? from rust or worn thru from rubbing?, or is it leaking and the (2) rubber lines @ the radiator? I have never seen leaking steel cooling lines on a Vette, but the rubber stub lines or loose fittings will

First you will need a good set of Hydraulic / brake line wrenches. the (2) fittings on the trans are very tight but should be do able.
second loosen upper hose clamp on rubber hose @ top radiator fitting, disconnect hose from fitting. then crawl under the car and do the same to the lower rubber line @ the lower radiator fitting
Third undo clamps on oil pan bolts, un thread old lines (bend) and remove, then re thread new lines (bend and un bend), re install clamps, reconnect fittings to trans. re install new rubber stub lines and reconnect to radiator fittings with formed stub tubes.
Fortunately, this isnt my first rodeo with this car.
I completed a budget resto on it approx 20 yrs ago. The one thing that didnt get restored as I wanted was the Trans lines and radiator. I didnt have the budget to get the parts I wanted and therefore went with a universal fit radiator and a separate trans cooler..
AC delete car so I dont need to deal with the condenser and AC related stuff.
New rad with Trans cooling this time around.
Rad and shroud will be out of the car when I will be doing this.
I had the trans and motor out of the car before so i wouldnt expect the trans lines to be too hard to remove as I have the proper tools.
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