OK, I figured it out.
The original 3/4" MPT x SLIP were purchased at Home Depot made by Dura USA and NIBCO. I was not able to hand tightening either one of these MPT's into my bulkhead. Once tightened, removing my hand was very difficult without the use of tools.
I went to Rona to with my bulkhead to try the IPEX ones they sell. I was able to hand tighten the IPEX successfully into the bulkhead all the way as well as removing it by hand......no tools.
IMO, the 3/4" MPT x SLIP are out of spec - bad threads.
Thanks for everyone's help!!
