Trans Cooler fitting location at radiator?
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Richland, WA
Trans Cooler fitting location at radiator?
I have a 1997 F350 7.3 auto crew cab. Thought about upgrading the trans cooler to a tru cool 7493? Cooler instead of the stock one. From my research, I'm learning these trucks actually had two coolers from the factory: one at the bottom of the radiator and a second aux cooler in front of the radiator.
Looking at my setup, the trans lines both bypass the radiator completely and just go to a trans cooler at the front of the radiator? Is this ok?
If I need to run the lines back through the radiator where do they run to at the radiator? Does anyone have pictures. Looking behind the radiator at the bottom I did notice a 5/16 diameter hose that runs from one connector at the bottom to another at the bottom but doesn't run to anything else? Is this the bypass? How should I run the new cooler?
Looking at my setup, the trans lines both bypass the radiator completely and just go to a trans cooler at the front of the radiator? Is this ok?
If I need to run the lines back through the radiator where do they run to at the radiator? Does anyone have pictures. Looking behind the radiator at the bottom I did notice a 5/16 diameter hose that runs from one connector at the bottom to another at the bottom but doesn't run to anything else? Is this the bypass? How should I run the new cooler?
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: evansville in
Generally it is best to use the radiator cooler plus the trucool.
You will want to be aware that someone may have abandoned the rad cooler for a reason. There could of been debris from a previous trans coming apart inside. Lots of trans builders do things like that. There also could potentially be coolant/ trans fluid mixing issues. Can you speak to the previous owner to see why it was abandon?
The factory order was front fitting on trans goes to rad fitting then other fitting to aux cooler, out of aux cooler and to hard line to rear of trans.
Do you have a trans temp gauge presently that is alerting you to an issue?
You will want to be aware that someone may have abandoned the rad cooler for a reason. There could of been debris from a previous trans coming apart inside. Lots of trans builders do things like that. There also could potentially be coolant/ trans fluid mixing issues. Can you speak to the previous owner to see why it was abandon?
The factory order was front fitting on trans goes to rad fitting then other fitting to aux cooler, out of aux cooler and to hard line to rear of trans.
Do you have a trans temp gauge presently that is alerting you to an issue?
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From: Richland, WA
I don't have any transmission issues at this point. I have a trans temp gauge. Hauling a truck camper while towing my Jeep the trans temp usually runs about 180 down the highway even in the mountains. I'm looking at pulling a 8000 lb fifth wheel trailer and just wanted a bigger trans cooler.
Until the other day, I didn't realize that the radiator was used as another trans cooler. I was just thinking of replacing the small trans cooler at the front of the radiator with the bigger cooler.
I bought the truck from a dealership so I have no idea why it was bypassed. I almost just want to leave the bypass as I dont know what would happen if I hook it all up. Or buy a whole new radiator. My hard lines running from the trans and returning to the trans are hooked up directly to that small cooler with rubber hose and hose clamps. I just didn't know where the trans lines enter and exit the cooler.
Until the other day, I didn't realize that the radiator was used as another trans cooler. I was just thinking of replacing the small trans cooler at the front of the radiator with the bigger cooler.
I bought the truck from a dealership so I have no idea why it was bypassed. I almost just want to leave the bypass as I dont know what would happen if I hook it all up. Or buy a whole new radiator. My hard lines running from the trans and returning to the trans are hooked up directly to that small cooler with rubber hose and hose clamps. I just didn't know where the trans lines enter and exit the cooler.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: AZ
Aaron layed out the route the fluid should take. I understand you not knowing and wanting to use the radiator cooler because you don't know what's in your rad cooler. I blew up a trans once and the rad cooler couldn't be flushed out in either direction so I bought a new radiator. From what I've read over the years is the radiator cooler is important to have in the system even with a big cooler (air to air) is added.
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From: Richland, WA
I'd hate to blow up this trans because it was installed by Ford in 2011 under an extended warranty. I wonder why they didn't tell me then?
So are the fittings on the radiator at the top or the bottom? I found two fittings on the backside at the bottom with a 5/16 hose between them. Is that them?
So are the fittings on the radiator at the top or the bottom? I found two fittings on the backside at the bottom with a 5/16 hose between them. Is that them?
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: evansville in
I'd hate to blow up this trans because it was installed by Ford in 2011 under an extended warranty. I wonder why they didn't tell me then?
So are the fittings on the radiator at the top or the bottom? I found two fittings on the backside at the bottom with a 5/16 hose between them. Is that them?
So are the fittings on the radiator at the top or the bottom? I found two fittings on the backside at the bottom with a 5/16 hose between them. Is that them?
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You should be OK if the filter between the cooler and the return line is a good one, assuming the filter is not filled up and restricting the flow. It should provide the protection needed.
I recently installed an external tranny filter and use a FL1A oil filter on it, which should provide a lot of filtering.
I recently installed an external tranny filter and use a FL1A oil filter on it, which should provide a lot of filtering.
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