tranny cooler
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,379
Likes: 9
From: midwest
tranny cooler
what are the advantages/disadvantages to bypassing the cooler in the radiator?...does it take longer to heat up in the winter, run hotter/cooler, etc? im replacing a c-6 tranny and would like to use all new components and will change the radiator if necessary, but would prefer to use a large cooler in front of the radiator...the truck weighs about 14k and occasionally tow about a 3k trailer all in flat city driving
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 642
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From: Olathe, KS
I happen to prefer the way you described. The only real disadvantage is the tranny will not have the motor heat to warm it in the winter. Put an in-line thermostat on it and you should be fine unless you have really cold winters. I have run a couple with and without the thermostat and the only diff was the temp gauge readings.
Be sure cooler size is adequate as suggested. And take this opportunity to install a trans gauge.
Be sure cooler size is adequate as suggested. And take this opportunity to install a trans gauge.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
On our towtrucks, the external cooler is in series with the radiator -- best of both worlds.
Line from the tranny to the external cooler, line from the external cooler to the radiator, line from the radiator back to the tranny. I have no idea which direction the flow is -- whether the fluid hits the external cooler or the radiator first -- and I'm not sure it would matter much.
Line from the tranny to the external cooler, line from the external cooler to the radiator, line from the radiator back to the tranny. I have no idea which direction the flow is -- whether the fluid hits the external cooler or the radiator first -- and I'm not sure it would matter much.
Moderator
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,547
Likes: 71
From: Calhoun GA
I believe it goes through the radiator first then through the air cooler. Being that the trans oil is warmer than the engine coolant, it does work well in lowering the temperature of the oil. Then the air cooler brings it down even more before going back to the transmission.
A couple things that can be done is to go with a larger air cooler and an aluminum transmission pan, one that holds more trans oil. If you're running a carb, then changing thermostat to a lower rated unit can help with the trans oil that goes through the radiator. This can be done on an EFI vehicle but the ECU may affect the way it goes in to closed loop fueling.
On mine, I doubled the size of the air cooler (used one from a 99+ Powerstroke), installed an aluminum trans pan that holds an extra three quarts of oil and a 180 degree t-stat. The trans oil temperature hangs around 165 degrees and slightly cooler in the winter months.
A couple things that can be done is to go with a larger air cooler and an aluminum transmission pan, one that holds more trans oil. If you're running a carb, then changing thermostat to a lower rated unit can help with the trans oil that goes through the radiator. This can be done on an EFI vehicle but the ECU may affect the way it goes in to closed loop fueling.
On mine, I doubled the size of the air cooler (used one from a 99+ Powerstroke), installed an aluminum trans pan that holds an extra three quarts of oil and a 180 degree t-stat. The trans oil temperature hangs around 165 degrees and slightly cooler in the winter months.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,379
Likes: 9
From: midwest
i guess ill probably go the radiator and cooler way...would an over heating engine be hot enough to damage the trans and/or fluid? that would be the only reason i would not want to use the radiator cooler...i would hate to have a new trans killed by the motor
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 277
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From: The Casa
I'd just get a freggin huge a$$ cooler and run it without the radiator cooler.If you run both,with the air cooler first the 200 degree coolant will just heat it back up a little.And if you run it the other way around you might get the water a tiny bit hotter.But this stuff works in south texas i don't know about winter operation for your region.
Just my 2cents.
Just my 2cents.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: midwest
i have about 13" x17" or one half side of the radiator/condensor bc the other side has an engine oil cooler
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Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Kuna ID
I bypassed the radiator cooler and used my A/C condenser as a tranny cooler. Still gets to operating temps, just takes a little longer. I had some fans I was gonna put on as well, but I just installed a 5spd in place of the C6, so I dont need any of it now. 
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,242
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From: Joliet, Illinois
The external radiator should go first so the engine can warm the fluid enough to evaporate any condensation in the trans that might develop in cold weather.
And in the summer it will help prevent the radiator overheating the engine as the automatic transmission is the primary cause of engine overheating.
And in the summer it will help prevent the radiator overheating the engine as the automatic transmission is the primary cause of engine overheating.