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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Sahuarita, AZ
Posts: 8
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Do I even need to use radiator to cool tranny fluid if...
I am currently swapping out my 3 speed saginaw for a 700R4. My stock radiator does not have fittings to attach tranny cooler lines. I bought a Derale 13.7"x13.0"x2.0" stacked plate tranny cooler to mount in front of radiator thinking this alone might suffice. I haul a 3,000lb cabover camper from time to time and small single axle trailers on occasion as well. I do live in AZ were road temps can get hot.
Should I get the correct radiator for an automatic tranny and run in conjunction with the cooler? Or, might just the cooler work? Summit has an OEM type radiator with good reviews but a few people noted the aluminum was a bit lighter gauge. Vehicle description: C20, 350ci slightly pumped up, A/C. Thanks in advance |
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#2 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Norfolk, VA
Posts: 15
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Re: Do I even need to use radiator to cool tranny fluid if...
Good question. In AZ you may benefit from the radiators heat exchange given your high air temps. I guess you could try just the independent tranny cooler while monitoring the fluid temps.
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Sedalia Mo.
Posts: 1,131
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Re: Do I even need to use radiator to cool tranny fluid if...
This topic can go nuts because there are so many way to build a truck and so many climates. So, my two cents say that these old trucks did not have tranny coolers to begin and the radiator did them just fine all alone. Now, if you are building the truck up beyond stock and hauling heavy, adding a cooler in line with the radiator is a good thing. You might be able to get by on just a cooler in your area, but you will have to have a temp gauge for you tranny to keep an eye on it, just to make sure. Another thought is that the radiator helps bring the tranny fluid up to temp quicker in the cold seasons as transmissions can be temperature sensitive and too low of a running temp is not good either. 180 F has always been a good place to be for me with 200 at the high end (under load/work scenarios).
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He who is without oil shall throw the first rod. Compressions 8.7:1 1972 C10 1976 C10 (parts truck) 1985 K20 |
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Under the Truck Dreaming
Posts: 704
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Re: Do I even need to use radiator to cool tranny fluid if...
Same question came up last week when I was helping someone finish an LS/700R4 install. We put a temp sender in the trans pan to get an idea how it will run with just a small external cooler. That truck will be operating in Florida.
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72 K20 Custom Camper, D60, 14BFF, full roller 406 TPI w custom built ECU and yes..it has tow hooks... |
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Dallas Texas
Posts: 3,090
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Re: Do I even need to use radiator to cool tranny fluid if...
For about the same money as swapping out your rad, you could probably install a fan on your cooler and control it with a relay driven by a thermal sending unit
installed right there in the cooler. I like the idea of using a gauge just for peace of mind. -klb
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67 C10 fleet fuel injected '70 402, 700r4, 3.73 posi 07 335 sport turbo 6sp 94 Trans Am GT LT1 6sp posi -- sold after 22yrs 99 540 sport V8 6sp -- sold 73 240z L24 4sp -- given to friend 68 C10 step 350/350 3.73 open -- sold |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Broken Arrow, OK
Posts: 1,226
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Re: Do I even need to use radiator to cool tranny fluid if...
My Dodge Ram came from the factory with an external cooler only. It's huge, though, like AC condenser huge. It has the tow package and does just fine. On the other hand my 56 GMC with a 4L60E and 3200 stall converter has the radiator cooler, a small Hayden plate cooler, AND a Derale remote mount cooler with a fan and will still instantly peg 180 degrees with one zero to 60mph romp. Just depends on the truck. Get a trans gauge and keep an eye on it.
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56 GMC BUILD THREAD: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=368649 69 long bed Chevy turned 67 gmc jimmy roadster: https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=851167 |
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#7 | |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Beavercreek, Ohio 45431
Posts: 737
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Re: Do I even need to use radiator to cool tranny fluid if...
Quote:
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1967 K30 461/TH400/Np205/D60/14FF/BDS MTZ 375/75/16 on 16x10 Pro Comps |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Munising,Mi
Posts: 360
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Re: Do I even need to use radiator to cool tranny fluid if...
So why not just put a cooling rad in ? They really aren’t that expensive .
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#9 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Godley, TX
Posts: 17,963
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Re: Do I even need to use radiator to cool tranny fluid if...
it's a good question Kfort. I honestly don't know if the cooling capacity of the add-on Derale cooler matches the cooling capacity of a more factory auto trans cooler set up. Personally, if it's not too much trouble, I would install a radiator plumbed for auto trans cooling and a trans temp gauge - and hold the Derale cooler in reserve and see if you need it. If not, you're good. If you have the opportunity to return the Derale unit now (if you do opt for an aut trans radiator) but are running out of time to return it before you get the radiator installed etc, then might be best to just return it now - you can always buy another if you aren't satisfied with your resultant trans temp with the auto trans radiator.
Or, you could do the same with what you have now (and add a temp gauge) and see if you need the auto trans radiator. Either way would work. BUT, for some reason, my understanding of aftermarket trans coolers was that they were more or less designed to augment existing auto trans cooling in HD applications, not necessarily replace the presence of an auto trans radiator. But I don't know that for certain to be honest. Bottom line - trans temp gauge is a worthwhile investment considering the fact that you're hauling a camper in Arizona... |
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#10 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Spring Valley, Ca.
Posts: 1,112
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Re: Do I even need to use radiator to cool tranny fluid if...
I did mine 20 some yrs ago. Bought the trans from Bow Tie overdrive. It came with the temp sending unit in the pan. Also can be used to drain the trans. At the time they recommended installing a hefty aux. trans cooler along with the regular automatic radiator. Didn’t have the selection then that’s around now so I used a Hayden whose application was for a motor home. In all that time it never overheated. Not even the day the trans grenaded about six weeks ago. Had the trans rebuilt and works as good as new! Old saying. “Rather be safe than Sorry”. My 2 cents.
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Smitty '71 Short Fleetside Spring Valley, Ca. |
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#11 |
At the body shop.
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Land of fruits and nuts.
Posts: 5,215
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Re: Do I even need to use radiator to cool tranny fluid if...
Sb 400 th400 with a 4k converter.
Cooler with a fan. Nothing thru the radiator. Doesnt cook the atf must be ok? Anything with a working lockup would run cooler than mine.
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" That didnt make it any newer " " Dont antique the equipment " |
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Posts: 2,151
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Re: Do I even need to use radiator to cool tranny fluid if...
I would not want an automatic that towed without an internal radiator cooler. They help maintain temperature, not just cool.
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'83 K20-TPI '73 C10 '79 C10-ex-diesel(SOLD) '07 Tahoe(Son driving) '14 Suburban-DD '71 C10-current project |
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#13 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Catskill Mountains,NY
Posts: 8,493
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Re: Do I even need to use radiator to cool tranny fluid if...
I would run a trans cooler in the radiator too. As said it helps to heat the oil in cold weather
Quote:
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Mark 72 c20 custom camper Husky edition, 66 SS396 Chevelle 1964 Hawk, 63 Avanti,62 lark 1969 AMX , 1968 c20 stepside ,85 K20 1977 Suburban sold 68 anniversary. |
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#14 |
Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires
![]() Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Greenville, SC
Posts: 23,090
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Re: Do I even need to use radiator to cool tranny fluid if...
Ugh, I don't miss that about NY (left 20 years ago). Brake and fuel lines and mufflers... every 8-10 years.
Good point about the radiator also warming the fluid when it's cold. I don't really know the answer, but I have both on my 700R and it's survived 15 years, 70K miles, and way too many burnouts. I have a factory brass 4 row with an external cooler as well.
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Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride ![]() American Born, Country by the Grace of God ![]() 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications! |
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#15 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Catskill Mountains,NY
Posts: 8,493
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Re: Do I even need to use radiator to cool tranny fluid if...
Quote:
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Mark 72 c20 custom camper Husky edition, 66 SS396 Chevelle 1964 Hawk, 63 Avanti,62 lark 1969 AMX , 1968 c20 stepside ,85 K20 1977 Suburban sold 68 anniversary. Last edited by 72c20customcamper; 04-03-2019 at 08:45 AM. |
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