[ponyakr]

Originally Posted by Grand73Am

...BUT...while looking on eBay, I found this!!! It's a lower tube repair kit. You cut off the bottom of your tube and install this metal conversion sleeve which converts your tube to a top hat seal. Look here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dipstick-Fil...uiPt9w&vxp=mtr

WOW ! That looks like exactly what I need. If it works as advertised, it should fix my leak, using my stick. Thanks for the info !!!

Now the question: has anybody here every tried this, or know anybody who has ? If this really works, looks to me like it should be almost standard equipment for all the old single O-ring type tubes. No welding--no leaks--keep your original tube that fits the car. Sounds too good to be true.

Yeah, I think it WAS too good to be true. I reread the ad. It says ATTACH the metal sleeve. I assume that means weld, braze or whatever. I was initially thinking slip-fit. But it's the hat that "slips" on. Oh well, you get the end & a seal, and won't have to cut an end off another tube. If I decide to try this instead of a flex tube, maybe I can get a friend to weld it on for me.

Here's the end & seal a bit cheaper.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevy-350-Di...3D252263551944

http://www.fitzall.com/K35999R.php

I just can't help being curious. Since the same size seal fit so many different transmissions, is there not any of the later tubes that would work in a 1st gen Bird ? I mean how many possible different firewall shapes could there be. Looks like there would have to be at least one that would be close enuff to work.

[ponyakr]

Hey, the more I search, the cheaper this fix gets !

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Filler-Tube-...3D122300052435

This is the only brand I've found. It's FitzAll #K35999R. Don't know if anybody else sells the end.

But obviously, you can buy the hat seal most anywhere. They're about $3. Probably even cheaper, if you buy local, where you don't have to pay shipping.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/TransTec-700...ZS6aM3&vxp=mtr

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/ado-1259475

http://www.jegs.com/i/ACDelco/065/1259475/10002/-1

http://www.rockauto.com/en/parts/acd...ick+seal,10970

How about $.79 ?

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/se...zer&vi=1050714

[Grand73Am]

Originally Posted by ponyakr

Hey, the more I search, the cheaper this fix gets !

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Filler-Tube-...3D122300052435

Good find on a much cheaper price. They're practically giving them away with free shipping. Looks like the last one available in that listing at this time, so you might want to jump on it.

Yes, I'd mig weld it to the tube, since I have a mig. A tig weld would be nice. What makes this easier is that this replacement end slips over the original tube, so that makes for easier welding than trying to butt-weld 2 factory pieces together. Of course, you'd want to measure your original tube before you cut it, so you can make the modified tube the same length down to where it meets the transmission case.

I was also thinking that it could be glued together using some epoxy putty, like Marine Tex, which is pretty sturdy stuff. But it's fairly expensive. JB Weld might work. Maybe even a tough silicone adhesive, like Permatex Ultra Gray RTV, might be sufficient to glue it together. Rough up the surfaces so it has something to grab.

[ponyakr]

"...I was also thinking that it could be glued together using some epoxy putty, like Marine Tex, which is pretty sturdy stuff. But it's fairly expensive. JB Weld might work. Maybe even a tough silicone adhesive, like Permatex Ultra Gray RTV, might be sufficient to glue it together. Rough up the surfaces so it has something to grab."

Now that sounds more up my alley. I can whack off the old tube & glue on a new slip-on end. And when you think about it, it can't come apart. The top of the tube is bolted to the bell housing. And it can't go down, because the hat will hold the new end above the hole. So, all the glue, epoxy, silicone, or whatever, would have to do is stop the fluid from oozing out, while the engine is not running. There would be no pressure on it at all. At least in my mind that's how it would work.

[Grand73Am]

Before you buy it, you might want to ask the seller about it. From the looks of it, I'm assuming it slips over the end of the original tube, but you know how assuming is. So, I'd make sure about that. And you could also ask them how they would suggest attaching it to the original tube.

[ponyakr]

OK guys, check this out. I ask my tranny guy. He said he uses the universal FitzAll dipstick & tube, on most all his builds. Said it hugs the trans real close & should work in a '68 Bird.

And, it will bolt up to a BOP bell housing. Ya'll check out these pics & see what you think.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/TH350-TH350C...3D160546929002

http://www.fitzall.com/cmsAdmin/uplo...ctions_001.pdf

There's one on Ebay for about $25. So, do ya'll think it will work in a '68 Bird ? If so, it should solve my problem, huh ?

Anybody ever use one of these ?