We just installed the engine and trasmission this weekend. Everything went fine but we need to install the transmission filler tube and it doesn't seem to fit. Were we supposed to install this before we dropped the engine and trans? Or should this tube be able to slide in place?
Hope we dont have to pull this again just to bolt on the filler tube.

I couldn't install mine. I brought to my mechanic. He got it in, with a little heating and bending...

We'll pull the engine and trans ourselves (again) if we have to. At this stage it would only take an hour. We're not sure if the filler tube is supposed to slip in or not. Since we didnt have an engine or transmission in the car when we got it, it's all new to us. We dont even know if the transmission tube is for our car (came in one of 10 garbage cans full of parts). If the tube is supposed to slid in after the engine and trans are installed, then we probably have the wrong tube. Has anyone done this before?

I usually put the trans cooler lines and the tube on before installation.

The Firebird has a very long and strangely bent filler tube, at least on the TH400. I haven't seen the TH350 or 2 speed version.

...and the generic TH400 filler tube available from the aftermarket suppliers will NOT fit your Firebird. As Vikki mentioned, its got some unusual bends in it. Again, I could not install mine...from above or below. You could use one of those flexable braided filler tubes but, you'll have to attach the top end to the firewall.

My engine and tranny are out right now. Let me know if you need a photo of the filler tube...

I installed the filler tube for the th350 I just put in my car after the transmission and engine were installed. I couldn't tell you about a th400. Good Luck.

I could not find my original th400 tranny tube. I searched for a long time before calling "fabulouse firebirds" and getting a used one.

One I got I figured out what it looked like I found out I did have the orginal so now I have one for my second 68. Yeah!

I spent a whole day messing with it.

My sure fire way of having a leak free fit is to always change the rubber O-ring to start. Then fit the tube in place. Make sure the metal strap that secures the tube is perfectly lined up with the tranny bolt hole so you don't have to [censored] the the tube in anyway to make it fit.

Good luck.

I think we have the wrong tube... pulled the engine & trans tonight and could not get the engine to sit right on the motor mounts after we installed the tube. The tube keeps hitting the firewall not allowing the engine to seat back far enough. Maybe we should just get one of those flexible stainless steel lines. Has anyone used these before and recommend a brand? I see Lokar has them but pricey ($75)

I was able to slide mine down in with the engine in, however I did not bolt it to the tranny and it sits awfully far back. May not be original, but works fine.

Hoody,
Thanks for the feedback. Also found out from Terry this is a very hard and expensive part to find (even he dosen't have one). So it seems we'll go with the flexible Lokar part.
Appreciate the responses.

I have a few extras in the misc pile. Two are labeled 350's, 1 unlabeled and 1 stainless flex line that was on my car when I got it.

Not sure how to tell if any of the prebent ones would work for you, but you are welcome to any of them cheap.

Sorry for the poor cell phone pic quality, my camera is at my office.

Catalina, Thanks for the great offer. If we hadent already ordered the lokar set up, we would be calling you. We're a bit of; find it, gotta have it, buy it now syndrom. We really appreciate you offering this up to us, but will wait to see how our A-D-D purchase works out. Thanks for the offer!!!!

I have a good pic of a standard th400 compared to my FB400 style.

Got a bigger picture?

And which is which?

The tube with the most bends is the correct tube(on far right in the largest photo, bottom of the smaller photo. Colorado, I'd take Cat up on his offer. They are near impossible to find.

If not, maybe Terry will trade me for a good power steering pump housing?

Catalina, We have an extra power steering pump housing... needs to be rebuilt. Not sure if it's the right part: Stamped 5698119 and raised letter/numbers A65
We can send you pictures if your interested. Free... just pay for shipping.

Now we see why our tube wouldnt fit. We have the wrong tube. We needed the one with more bends as stated above. And since my son beat on it today trying to get it to fit... it has even more bends!

Yes, I may be interested. Please send picks in no particular hurry. My pump is fine, it is the housing that has a crack in it where the low pressure line comes into the back of the reservoir. It is currently epoxied so there is no real rush. I just know I need to replace it at some point. I can use the pump assembly out of it on a different housing if it is in good condition. The offer still stands for the tube. I could get it in the mail in a day or so if you want it. It is in very nice condition with little surface rust. Without a part number stamped into it though, I cannot verify that it is 100% correct. I'd have to take Bronze Birds word for it. I know for sure the flex line fits, because I took it off.

I'm not sure, but I could probably also have this one brazed up, but I won't know until I pull it off this winter.

The part number I am not sure of though. I thought the part number was supposed to be 5698109. Maybe someone else can confirm for me if your would also be correct.

I will be away from my computer for most of tomorrow, but will check the thread tomorrow evening for sure.

Tim

Colorado, note that the bracket on the correct tube for your Firebird will attatch to the head, not the tranny housing.

Bronze Bird are you sure about that?

I have two for a th400 and both attach to the tranny bolt unless my memory is failing me. The th350 and 2speed trany may be a different storey.

This is the link to the bigger picture.
http://thumb16.webshots.net/s/thumb4/0/86/37/146308637pSGSPt_th.jpg

Whoa., same here.

I better check this tonight.

Oh, and it's still a tiny pic...












Just checked, yep, connected to the transmission. Are you saying this is wrong?

This is crazy. The original tube on my "numbers matching" engine and tranny was attached to the head. I had to replace it because it split at the o-ring indentation. The replacement tube I bought from Terry also attached to the head. I can't take a photo because I have no engine at the moment... The bracket welded to the tube extends toward the fender...to the head..like the one in the larger photo. The tube in the smaller photo shows the bracket extending toward the tranny...

???????

I guess they both work.

Catalina,
PM sent on the power steering pump with pictures.

That's why mine sits so far back, it is the standard one without all the bends.

Thanks Colorado, I will respond to the PM.

Here is a better picture of the tubes that I do have if it helps.



If the one I have on the car is truly wrong, I probably should hold onto this one and swap it out at some point in the future.

Does anyone else know? Banshee? Terry? Vikki? (in no particular order)

I believe the long and convoluted one is correct for TH400. Let me grab the camera and go in the garage.

I beleive the second from the bottom is for a 2 speed transmission.

The top one is definitely Turbo 400 Firebird.