No poolguy this year to open pool, need help...

[Poconos]

No need to replace the eyeball pieces. You probably didn't get all the teflon tape off the tight one. They're underwater anyhow so who cares if they leak around the threads a little. Don't use more tape. On the eyeballs there is a larger threaded piece that goes into the pipe. This has an outer thread for the eyeball retainer. I try and get the larger piece somewhat tight in the pipe just so it doesn't turn when I loosen or tighten the eyeball cover to allow moving the eyeballs. I made a tool from a piece of aluminum plate, maybe 1/8" to fit in the slots of the larger piece to screw it in and out of the pipe without buggering the threads.
Al