Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Transaxle ATX cooling tube installation

Alright, I thought I was clever to replace the terribly rusty cooling tubes from ATX to radiator but now I can't get the replacement tube in. The supply tube is OK but the return has two different hard tubes connected by a flex line.... I can't feed the whole thing in and get the hard lines around the bend it is supposed to make without getting stuck.

ANybody know a trick to get this line installed without pulling the engine?

Well, after trying by myself for two hours yesterday my brother came over today and slipped it through in about 5 minutes, as usual.

Actually it was quite helpful to have two people. For the record, the way we got it in was to push the ATX-end through from the front - slide it between the frame and the radiator/fan at the point right where the tube (in its installed position) jumps above the frame rail on the drivers side. Then bend the flex hose and shove the bent part upwards between the fan and the engine as high as it will go. Now the two hard tubes are making an upside down V behind the fan. In that position, fish the ATX-end fitting between the engine and the frame on the drivers side so it goes out into the wheel well. Then pull that fitting towards the rear of the car as you lower the flex joint, sliding the entire hard tube through that space between the frame and the engine.

Sheesh. But at least I didn't have to dismantle the entire engine to get it done....

Next job is the power steering cooler lines