Im Fairly new to Fords so Im going to ask the question just because Ive noticed Ford likes to do everything different. So My Trans Cooler is almost the same size as my Radiator and its placement is between the Radiator and the fan. Is this normal or is this someones shade tree Idea of where it should be? All the Trans coolers I have encountered have always been in front of the radiator just behind the grill. Can someone shed some light on this for me?
JRB65

 

The factory cooler is in the bottom tank of the radiator.
This sounds like a previous owner's handiwork.

 

So in your opinion do you think the placement of the Trans Cooler could effect the cooling system (Radiator)? The truck seems to be running a little on the hot side but im not real sure what is normal deflection on a running 360FE in cooler running conditions. Its running about Half to a little more and if its setting Idleing it seems to push the Normal range almost bumping the hot range on the guage..

JRB65

 

Ford placed the trailer package cooler between the grills and radiator.. and kept the radiator cooler as well in line.

 

Ford's gauges are NOTORIOUS for being inaccurate. If you're concerned about the temp, I'd either shoot the radiator with a infrared thermometer or get a quality aftermarket set of gauges.

 

With a cheap infrared gun, it's easy to 'calibrate' the OEM gauge.

 

Just a different train of thought on tranny coolers placement..

Placement in front of or integral to the radiator assumes that it would experience air flow like when towing. However, if it's low-speed crawling or wheeling, then a cooler mounted elsewhere with its own electric fan would be more efficient.

2x with Mike on the inaccuracy of stock gauges but, yeah, I would think hot coolant or tranny fluid can spike the temp of the other since it is integral coolers share the same thermal mass - the radiator. However, coolant/water releases energy (heat) faster than Type F given the same surface area.

 

When i changed to an automatic transmission i never had a cooler in the radiator. So since it was almost a new radiator and not wanting to buy another one I went around it. I put a small cooler next to the radiator on the passenger side to the frame top side . The i went though one of the holes there to another one a little bigger set between the grill and radiator. My radiator is sized for a 360 engine but i have a 302 there now. I have no heating problems at all ,the temp will go past 1/2 for a very short time but once the thermostat opens up it drops a little below 1/2 a just sits there. But like it was mentioned , factory guages are not real good ones.

 

I have the biggest one that B&M sells mounted between the grill and the radiator.I had all my fluid lines custom made so it runs through the extra thick radiator as well .If you go that route make sure the radiator and cooler are plumbed in the right order. I think B&M has a diagram . I also have a deep pan do I run more fluid than stock .