Oil Return Tube Replacement Difficulty

[Targa Me]

Ok, here's my question:
How difficult is it to replace the oil return tube on a 1984, stock 3.2?
This tube is on the left side of the engine and its the tube nearest the front of the car.

This engine has 200K plus miles on it so I really, really don't want to try and remove the heat exchanger.

Thanks in advance.

[dipso]

I just did mine, but I'm no expert. Without removing the heat exchanger I would say it's impossible.

You can probably get the old one out, but you will never get the new one in.

[KNS]

It's not impossible, I've done it on Carreras and SCs with the heat exchangers on. The two on the left side, especially the front left is the biggest pain. Do a search on "hose clamp" or "muffler clamp" method.

[john walker's workshop]

you can do it with the exchangers on, but you have to do both the left ones, because the rear one is in the way of doing the front one. on earlier engines with the air pump tubing in place, the exchanger needs to come off.

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by KNS

... Do a search on "hose clamp" or "muffler clamp" method.

Check Post # of Oil Tubes Removing and Refurbishing

Of course I had the luxury of; Engine at wais level, up-side down with out the H.E.

You would need something thinner to hit the hoses clamp.

Good luck

[Targa Me]

Thanks for the info Gentlemen.

[Mattcamp]

Just have your kid do it for you if you have one.

[JJ 911SC]

[QUOTE=Mattcamp;6027660]Just have your kid do it for you if you have one.

Matt

Borderline exploitation... I forward the pics to CPS

[Mattcamp]

[QUOTE=JJ 911SC;6027725]

Originally Posted by Mattcamp

Just have your kid do it for you if you have one.

Originally Posted by Mattcamp

Matt

Borderline exploitation... I forward the pics to CPS

I'm screwed....I knew I should have put safety glasses on him.

[lindemans]

I put a hose clamp around each end to easily get grip and to be able to apply force to expand them into the engine case.
Get one side seated; keep it in position with force against the hose clamp; then on the other side extend the tube while levering the hose clamp on that side. You will feel it snap in position. Lube o-rings with a bit of oil first.

Obviously the one leaking on my engine was also the most difficult one to get to, but it worked fine !

[83_Silberpfeil]

Wow! Very creative solution. McGuyver would have been impressed!

Originally Posted by lindemans

I put a how clamp around both ends the easily get grip and be able to expand them into the engine case.
Get one side seated; keep it in position with force against the hose clamp; then on the other side extend the tube while levering the hose clamp on the other side.

Obviously the one leaking on my engine was also the most difficult one to get to, but it worked fine !

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