Oil return tubes

[Toga82sc]

I'm replacing my "original" ORT's with the expandable type. I would prefer NOT to remove my heat exchangers as this is its own can of worms. Can this be done, and if so what is anyones experience, anything else have to come off. Thanks in advance.

Toga 82sc

[spinner]

You can replace the drip tubes w/o removing the heat exchangers. I believe there is a tech article to do that on this site. You basically use some big pliers and crush the olds ones and pull them off. Be sure you empty the oil first. Much easier to do if the car is on a lift. Again, refer to the tech article.

[john walker's workshop]

on engines with the piping for the air injection, the left exchanger has to come off. the right side air injection fittings have to be disconnected and pulled down a bit to slip the tubes in position. without the piping, the right side has lots of clearance, and the left, not much, but just enough to wiggle them in. the left side snaprings are the main challenge.

[Steve W]

I've done it on a 3.2 without removing the heat exchangers. Actually very easy to do. Just use channel lock pliers to crush and twist out the old tubes, then expand out the new ones in its place. Works like a charm.

[Superman]

Another potentially useful tip is to put hose clamps on them, so that you will have something to pry against without damaging the tubes. Use silicon grease on the o-rings, as this will help prevent leaks and also make it slippery so it goes on easier. I did mine with no trouble, even before I learned the hose clamp trick. Mine has no air injection system.