I'm working on my 84 CJ-8 (258, TF999, Dana 300) to drop the tranny to fix a stripped torque converter hole/replace the converter.

I've managed to get everything off EXCEPT the stupid front oil cooler line. I've got the access cover off and I can get in to it physically, but my flare nut wrench won't go on the fitting in an orientation where I can loosen it. The bellhousing interferes on that side and whatever the stud/bolt is that sits just slightly above and rearward of the fitting interferes on the other side. There looks to be enough throw between them that I could get it off, but the way the fitting is now, I can't get it started. Flipping the wrench puts me into the tub so no good there. I tried a regular wrench, but it gave a little and I'm NOT screwing up this fitting without asking for help and tips first.

I tried to go at it from below and there's just no way I can see with the tranny up or lowered. Right now I have it lowered about as far as it can go safely while still attached to the engine to get access from above. Even if I wanted to try to go at it with channel locks, I don't think there's enough room.

Also, on a side note, no one (including Chilton or Haynes) has mentioned the pulse air tube that runs right under the bellhousing... do I need to remove it? It seems like it's going to catch the bellhousing when I try to move the tranny to the rear. I was just hesitant to take it off the exhaust pipe unless absolutely necessary, it's pretty rusty there and I don't want bad things to happen.

FWIW (should anyone find this in a search later) I managed to get the tranny out by taking the cooler end of the line off and then lowering the tranny slowly while checking the line as I did so. I ended up bending the line by hand a little to gain some extra clearance, but I finally was able to get a wrench on it once it dropped below the exhaust pipe.