Topic: The large fittings on the oil tank - what do you use to tighten them?

[SKTP]

So I am reassembling my 78K for the 2nd time...the first time, I had trouble tightening down the large "nuts"/fittings that connect to the actual oil tank. It's hard to get a tool in there...I thought I would be smart and tighten them before putting the tank in, but that is impossible to then put the tank in the frame...is there some sort of thin wrench that I am not aware of for this task? I did end up using long thin vice grips but that let some score marks. I can live with them, but there's got to be a better way?!

[mystic_1]

You can remove the battery tray to gain access to the tank from the backside, that makes it a bit easier.  Still a PITA though.

Working from behind there's usually enough room to make a small turn, flip your wrench over to get a different angle, another small turn, flip wrench, etc.

This is assuming you're using a standard open-end wrench with an angled head. 

mystic_1

[SKTP]

Yes...It is a pain in there...I just wanted to confirm that I am not missing something obvious...I did tighten with battery box out...then that was a pain to get in with the oil tank in place...had to take off the 3 mounting screws. I think all is well...

[754]

Croissant wrench. ... A French tool..

[cb650PK]

Croissant wrench. ... A French tool..

Works better when accompanied by good coffee.

[rddcw]

This is what I use 

[Restoration Fan]

I used a combination on my 78K.  We used a crescent wrench (err...excuse me...a croissant wrench) on one of the nuts but I think we used a long, open ended wrench on the other one.  I don't remember the size but it's one of the bigger ones...about a 17mm maybe?

[70CB750]

Croissant wrench. ... A French tool..

Yes 

[strynboen]

use a svedish key..made by bacho...is it only in denmark ve call them svedish??

[seanbarney41]

use a svedish key..made by bacho...is it only in denmark ve call them svedish??

crescent wrench is a whitworth socket set

[70CB750]

And what do you call this wrench?

[72 yellow]

And what do you call this wrench?

It's a special wrench used to tighten a lead pipe cinch and also to adjust a canutin valve.

[70CB750]

We call it the French wrench for some reason.

[mystic_1]

This is what I use 

Since we're on to tool names, these are "crows feet wrenches", or "crows feet sockets".



Part of the problem with using a regular Crescent Wrench for this job is that the ones that are big enough to fit onto the fitting are usually 10 inches long or more.

One of these might make things considerably easier:



Another thing to keep in mind is that these fittings don't need to be super-tight.  There are aluminum crush washers that go inside the fittings and provide the seal against the tank bungs.  Replace these!  They're super-cheap!  Using fresh crush washers, tighten these to the same degree that you would an oil drain plug.


mystic_1