Transmission Cooler??

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Mar 7, 2003 | 09:46 PM

Gr8ride

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Joined: May 2001

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From: Texas USA

Transmission Cooler??

Howdy,

I have a 93 F250 7.3L diesel w/ auto E4OD.
I want to be able to haul my 3000# empty weight trailer in overdrive. I am having trouble figuring out what size after market transmission cooler that I should get. The trucks GVRW is 8800#, the trailer can haul 10000#. So that would be an 18,800# GVRW. So would a 20,000# GVRW cooler work? Or do I need to go bigger? Right now I only have the transmission cooler that’s in the radiator and a very small external cooler, I want to stop using the radiators cooler and only use the after market cooler.
I'm also looking at getting a transmission fluid filter, I wanted to get your opinion on it first.
Also, where do you guys recommend putting the sensor for the transmission temp gauge and who makes a good gauge and sensor?
Any help or comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Gr8ride

Mar 8, 2003 | 10:11 AM

Flash

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Joined: Jul 2001

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Transmission Cooler??

Here is the dilema that you face, you can over cool your E4OD and it won't function correctly especially in the winter. I would be looking for a cooler rated around 10,000, run the hot line from the tranny to the cooler and then back into the radiator. In the summer, you should have sufficient cooling and in the winter you should have enough heat. Or, you can bypass all that and get a cooler rated at 20,000 with a thermostat. They cost more and you have more parts but it may be what you are looking for. NAPA can get you all the goodies you want.

Mar 9, 2003 | 10:04 AM

Mark Kovalsky

Frmr Ford Trans Engr

Joined: Aug 1999

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From: SE Florida

Transmission Cooler??

The stock coolers should work fine for towing 3000 pounds, even in overdrive.

Why would you want to remove the radiator cooler? It removes a lot of heat from the transmission. It's especially useful at low speeds, such as backing a trailer.

Mar 9, 2003 | 11:28 AM

flyboy2610

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Joined: Dec 2001

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From: Lincoln USA

Transmission Cooler??

Unless you have a busted cooler tube in the radiator, the recommended practice is to run them in series, through the radiator and then the afermarket. Like was said, if you overcool the fluid your tranny won't shift properly.

Mar 9, 2003 | 07:04 PM

Mattman1

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Joined: Jul 2001

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Transmission Cooler??

As for the inline filter; Ford has one that is recomended at every rebuild or torque converter replacement. If you want the temp sansor, Perma-cool has one that uses an oil filter spin-on type. This can be ordered from summitt for $80. I just won one on Ebay for $55. Seems pretty trick.

Apr 5, 2004 | 10:16 AM

cinchitup

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Joined: Feb 2004

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Transmission Cooler

Mark Kovalsky,

I can't leave you an email because I don't have the ability to yet....not enough posts. I was wondering if you could recommend a transmission cooler manufacturer to me. I just purchased a 2004 F-350 Crewcab DRW and pull a horse trailer that weighs roughly 16K. I want to do everything possible to protect my transmission so any suggestions you can make would be greatly appreciated..

Apr 5, 2004 | 06:42 PM

jim henderson

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Joined: Mar 2001

Posts: 4,968

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From: So Cal

BTW the perma cool filters and temp sensor can be a beach to find a place to mount.

I finally mounted mine on the plastic fender well underneath the Winshield washer tank. Be sure to add a ground wire to the metal mounting bracket so you have a complete electrrical circuit to run the gauge. Also be sure to use that teflon tape to seal all the connections. ATF is very good at finding leaks and then it makes a mess and then it eats your rubber body bushings and other rubber stuff. There is not a lot of room under the tank so measure carefully. Worst case you can use a short filter as mentioned in the kit.

Good Luck,

Jim Henderson