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Transmission cooler placement

OH71RRunner

OH71RRunner

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Would it be better to mount the transmission cooler directly to the front of the radiator or put it several inches in front of the radiator?
I've seen differing opinions, but which is really the best way?
The radiator does not have an internal transmission cooler. I want to get the best possible airflow for the radiator. The transmission cooler is rather large. It was the 'heavy duty' kind.
Right now, it's several inches in front. But not sure if that's the right placement. On newer vehicles, they are typically placed directly to the front of the radiator. Which way is correct?
Opinions, or advice, please.
 
Cooler makers say to mount it in front of radiator and with no more than about a 1/4" gap. Believe it or not, doesn't hurt radiator cooling in any measurable way.
 
HT is probably right, mine is hanging out by grille but it's an add-on; still using oe rad. cooler. Added mine when racing w/a high stall conv. yrs ago, mines probably 4-5" from rad.
 
Mines just behind the hood latch cross piece. You can see the upper tubes (look like upside down U's) in the lower left center of picture.
Satellite.jpg
 
Get it where it can get the best airflow across it with it not blocking anything else.
 
The closer to the radiator, the air flow will be provided via the fan. When mounted further away the less effect the fan will have on it.
I wouldnt think being farther away would be a big deal as it will still decipate heat at idle like a sink, and air will flow through it at speed....
I have a large tube style mounted on the frame rail, anything is definitely better than nothing....
 
And Fran we didn't need to see ur engine, we were talking trans coolers! Lol
 
gonna bump this cause i'm goin to toss on a cooler too

which line are you hooking up the cooler?

the output of the transmission to the new cooler? or, the output of the radiator to the new cooler?

i'm looking at a few ways plumbing can be done.

one pic is from factory service manual so i think i'll go with that one. i think both of these pics are telling me the same thing.

i got AC in mine so there is an AC cooler in front of my radiator.



watermelon

IMG_9292.JPG IMG_9303.PNG
 
Transmission pressure line to radiator
Radiator to upper cooler fitting
Lower cooler fitting return to trans.
 
Yup I went trans-cooler-radiator-trans.
 
ok i think i get it

in that service manual pic i posted, is the transmission pressure line also the one labled "outlet" of the 727?

my 727 lines are set up as pictured in that pic

any cooler recommendations? i got 5/16 lines in car and a roll of 5/16 aluminum line. i can bend n make flares but most coolers look 3/8


watermelon
 
Last edited:
watermelon said:
ok i think i get it

in that service manual pic i posted, is the transmission pressure line also the one labled "outlet" of the 727?

my 727 lines are set up as pictured in that pic

any cooler recommendations? i got 5/16 lines in car and a roll of 5/16 aluminum line. i can bend n make flares but most coolers look 3/8


watermelon
Click to expand...

Tru Cool LPD 4707. It has 5/16" inverted fittings. I have two and they work well.
http://www.trucool.com/products/tru-cool-lpd
 
I have a plate-type cooler, they're the most efficient. Mines a b&m, let me find the info...

Really, it doesn't matter so much which order you hook them up, unless you're racing, then I'd say don't hook it up to the radiator at all.

The reason you hook it up to your rad at all is the warm radiator pre-warms your trans. After that, the rad provides cooling really only if the trans over heats above rad temp.

So if you go trans/rad/cooler, the rad will bring the trans to rad temp, then the cooler will knock 20-30 degrees out, so the trans will operate at a temp say 20-30 degrees cooler than rad temp.

If you go trans/cooler/rad, the cooler will knock maybe 20-30 degrees out of your trans fluid, then the rad has final say and will likely add heat to your trans fluid to maintain its operating temp.

Edit: here's my cooler - works a dream.

https://m.summitracing.com/parts/bm...srese1-_-b-m&gclid=CPXzhfmKvdQCFc1WDQodneUM8g
 
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