Transmission Color??

[1987_3/4ton_chevy]

ya i just wanted to see what people thought... sorry

[ProStreet83C10]

well firstly....the transmission going in the truck is an old school 4 spd manual, whether or not that has any effect on painting/heat etc. i do not know.

I only know this as im helping him with the rebuild

[special-K]

^ That`s too much! ^

That makes all the difference in the world.I guess I saw 350 in the first post and all this automatic talk and went with it.I know the 4wd ones were painted red along with the transfer case.I haven`t looked at a 2wd in years...not sure.But,paint that cast iron all you want .

On a side note:It would cost GM more to paint automatics no matter if they were sact iron or aluminum.So that does add up.It`s just not best.But,the difference will never be known.It`s definately nothing an external cooler of aluminum radiator won`t compensate for.That would keep the long term heat cycles at a lower temp.and,I realize painting an automatic won`t make it suddenly run hot.I also realize that overheating suddenly or cycling at higher temps over a prolonged period are both heat issues that damage the unit.I`m with andy,why paint it unless it`s a show truck?It`s just up under the truck and doesn`t require paint anyway.

[Shane]

It would cost GM more to paint automatics no matter if they were sact iron or aluminum.So that does add up.It`s just not best.

Of course it would, no one has said differently. I said the fact that the housing is made from aluminum makes it more expensive than a painted cast iron housing.

You disagree with me over heat dissipation but agree with Andy over heat dissipation?

I think you just enjoy disagreeing with me.

[ProStreet83C10]

as a matter of fact...does anyone know what model transmission he has....its a 4 spd. granny tranny

[Skirkpat]

Originally Posted by Shane

I politely disagree and here's why. The housings of automatic transmission are made from aluminum which is much more expensive to process than cast iron. It was chosen for it's heat dissipation properties for the same reason folks choose aluminum radiators over brass ones. Aluminum transfers heat more efficiently than other metals.

The debate about not painting them for money saving reasons doesn't quite add up either because it would still be less expensive for the OEM's to make the housings from cast iron AND paint them versus make them from expensive aluminum.

I politely disagree with you on this one, The effect of painting a transmission will not overtake the cooling ability of the true heat dissapation in the radiator, As far as why they are left natural finish, it has been addresed, cost savings, How do I know....That was my job, 60-80 hours a week for 11 years 1994-2004...Launch and Engineering Specialist for FORD MOTOR COMPANY out of their pilot plant in Dearbon., I personaly helped design, and hand build the first Hybrid Escapes in existance, If they can save one penny on a part they do it, thats why I quit, I got tired of them sending out a junk vehicle when we told them not too.

[big_al_71]

Here is another pict of the first one I put in my truck, I think it looked really good...the color is a personal choice of what you like..I painted this one this silver color then when one of my guys craked the case tightening the tranny cooler lines I replaced the case I painted the new case black which I thought looked better.

[Shane]

Originally Posted by Skirkpat

I politely disagree with you on this one, The effect of painting a transmission will not overtake the cooling ability of the true heat dissapation in the radiator, As far as why they are left natural finish, it has been addresed, cost savings, How do I know....That was my job, 60-80 hours a week for 11 years 1994-2004...Launch and Engineering Specialist for FORD MOTOR COMPANY out of their pilot plant in Dearbon., I personaly helped design, and hand build the first Hybrid Escapes in existance, If they can save one penny on a part they do it, thats why I quit, I got tired of them sending out a junk vehicle when we told them not too.

Point taken.

Now, to use your argument, what other reason would the OEM use aluminum for this part if it WASN'T for it's heat dissipation properties considering it's much higher cost to produce?

I mean, according to you, overall cost reduction is the ultimate goal with material selection isn't it?

P.S. I spent a "few" years in the Tier supply chain as well.

[70cstjr]

this is what we did to project circuit rider

[Skirkpat]

Alot goes into every decision no matter how small, we literaly would have multiple process meetings over platings on clips, things like corrosion, ease of machining, final assembly weight (gas mileage), robustness of fasteners, etc. all play into those decisions, Since you are a part of that world, you understand what I mean.
I do agree that paint will inhibit heat dissapataion, as will chrome, and having not seen tests on the subject my personal belief is that it is a cost savings....Kawasaki robot (10 year duty cycle) to paint trans 3,000,000.00 + 2 operators/programers/maintenance personel per bot 100,000.00 + Benifits each, plus paint, plus storage, plus logistics, plus EPA issues, +++++ it gets very expensive to add operations like paint. I might be wrong though, I sometimes am

[jef5150]

i dont believe heat dispershion (sp) actually had to much to do with the choice of aluminum for transmissions.We're talking "cast" aluminum here, which doesnt disapate heat very well.There are huge amounts of tiny air bubbles in cast which actually "retain" heat.Weight,speed in production and tooling costs played more of a role.After foundry work there are only a few surfaces that actually need machined.

jeff

[sameyrasmea72]

I would dust it with a light coat of aluminum colored paint to get rid of the discolored areas. That way you have the best of both worlds, looks good and not to much paint to worry about the heat issues. That is what I did to mine.

[ProStreet83C10]

anyone know what tranny the C20 came with....its a 4 spd manual with a granny 1st