radiator ???
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: Columbus Indiana
radiator ???
I am currently running a 302 motor with a 3 speed tranny. i am going to change over to an automatic transmission. I am wondering if i will have to change the radiator or do they make a kit to convert the original radiator to run the tranny cooling lines. any help is apreciated...
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,571
Likes: 22
From: Oxford, Indiana
What he said. Normally, an external cooler is plumbed in series with the cooler in the radiator to help bring the transmission up to operating temp faster in cold weather, but it's not absolutely necessary. A properly sized cooler will be plenty all by itself. There are all kinds of aftermarket stand-alone coolers on the market for this purpose. Don't use one of the "fin and tube" types. They are just a copper tube looped back and forth in a grid of aluminum fins. They aren't very efficient - especially as the only cooler. Look for a plate or flat tube style cooler. They look like a vertical stack of plates or flattened tubes and are a MUCH more efficient solution. Remember, you can buy one that's too small, but it's pretty tough to find one that's too big.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
From: Weston-super-Mare (UK)
I use a stock radiator with my 302 with no problems at all. I use a seperate dual pass (round canister 'finned' type) tranmission cooler which works great. I went for one that was a bit larger than I probably needed
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,011
Likes: 6
From: Dupont, Indiana
I ran an aftermarket cooler in mine for four years before I bought a new polished radiator for my 56, never had any trouble with it. Having the cooler inside the radiator tank is still the best way to go.
brian...
brian...
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Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,068
Likes: 1
From: Yountville Ca
I've got a C-6 in my 58 and I only have the auxillary tranny cooler. Nothing connected to the radiator, and I've never had any problems. It just fastens on the frame somewhere along the passenger side and I ran A/N lines to it. Good luck with whatever you decide. You've got lots of options, and they're all good.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,094
Likes: 654
From: Brentwood, TN
I am running a finned aluminum 2-pass cooler on both my trans fluid line and my power steering/hydroboost line. Lots of folks swear by the radiator coil setup and in many climates I think that it is a good setup. I don't tow and the weather here is never below freezing so these coolers are a good solution for me.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,352
Likes: 1
From: Waleska, GA
The stock radiator besides being quite old is only good for six pounds of pressure(?) as opposed to a modern one rated for 15 pounds. The higher the pressure, the higher the boiling point of your coolant. Maybe it's time to buy a new radiator(running and hiding!).
