Bought an 89 Formula and was told the trans was replaced. Found it was leaking trans fluid really bad and put the car up and founds the cooler lines are soaked. Assuming there not tight eough I tried to tightness them but can't get a grip on them and there's very little room.
is the trick till tightening these ?
useing 1/2" wrench

 

if you lower the trans on the crossmember it will give you some more room

 

Exactly what I did! And then used some stubby wrenches from Harbor Freight.

12 Piece Stubby Combination Wrench Set (harborfreight.com)

Change the dip stick tube o-ring gasket (if you haven't already done so as well, since you are in the same location. Be ready to get some transmission fluid on the floor and yourself too!

 

awesome I'm going to this a try when I get home from work today

 

So basically loseen the outside crossmeber bolts that hold the crossmember to the body of the car, to lower the trans then, that should give me enough room. Is what your saying right

 

Yes - put a floor jack under the transmission tail shaft (block of wood would be nice). Jack the tail shaft up to relieve the pressure, and then unthread the 4 bolts for the transmission mount. Then slowly lower the floor jack to allow the transmission to tilt down, just enough to get your hand and wrench up to tighten the lines. While you're under there check the transmission mount too.

 

Might want to disconnect the speedometer cable before lowering the trans, as it could get damaged...

 

well I don't think it was ever connected from the pervious owner, bcz Mt speedo doesn't work

 

Be careful how far you lower it. The distributor is very close to the firewall. Doesn't take much to hit and damage it.

 

Yeah, forgot to mention that removing the distributor cap is also a good idea...