Looking for guidance on 700r4 cooler line replacement in k5

[Polymath]

So the 85 k5 700r4 needs new cooler lines. I have both new ones from LMC truck. Previous owner had haphazardly routed some bend-it-yourself brake line tubing in there and it was no good. I went to crawl around and evaluate the job only to find that the lines screw into the tranny in a really tight spot. I can barely get an open end wrench on the top one and can't even see the lower fitting, though I can get a wrench on it if I try.

Should I be removing the rear shaft and cross member to lower the trans a few inches? Or is it supposed to be possible without that much effort? I need to drop the pan and change the fluid regardless.

 

[anwat]

Mine weren't that difficult to get to, although it did require a very dirty arm and a fair amount of cursing. I used a mirror to figure out where I needed to be and then did it mostly by feel. I think it would take more time and work to drop the trans, plus you add in the possiblity of causing more problems you don't have now. Threading the hard lines was more of a challenge than connecting them.

 

[Wes Harden]

You can unbolt the cross member from the frame and lower it. Before you do un bolt the fan shroud, and loosen the distributor cap.
A crows foot will greatly ease the job.
Also note there is are two flair fittings screwed into the case that tube screw into. Make sure these fittings stay tight. I have a 700r4 in my 77, I have redone the lines a couple of times. I now have AN fittings and braided lines going to cooler under the rear passenger area. I didn't find it that difficult to do the lines, or tubes.

 

[K85 Octane]

1” body lift. You’ll thank me later

 

[Polymath]

Thanks for the info gents. Being that neither the fan nor the distributor are even on the car right now, I think i'll go the route of removing the crossmember and letting it hang lower on a jack. There's so much caked on crud under there I can barely see the fittings.

Hoping to get these lines done and get fresh fluids in the trans and tcase before I put it back on the ground and roll it outside for more pressure washing.

 

[Polymath]

For anyone just now tuning in, dropping the cross member made things SOOOO much easier to get to. It gave me 2-3 inches of room to work with. But I already had the distributor and radiator out so your mileage may vary. It was still a PITA thanks to the top nut being seized into the trans fitting. Had to cut the line and remove the trans fitting so I could vice grip the nut and unscrew it from the fitting. The lines were also not perfect and required some minor bending to muscle them into place.

 

[anwat]

Congrats...to be fair, I also have a 1" body lift on mine, and I also have the braided lines with the AN fittings...but I did at one point have to screw the an fitting adapter onto the trans, and that's what I was referring to. I also managed to cross the two lines first time around, but it didn't take long to figure out that mistake....