Transmission oil coolers: Anybody use'em? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bgood · 07-22-2004, 11:10 PM

Long story here, I'm wondering if I would be better served to use a cooler or go to a bigger radiator.
I am in the middle of a Vintage Air install on my 67 C10 with 350 4bbl and TH350 and I run across this note in the instructions tellin me their units won't work so well with the narrower(thinner?) radiators that came on I6 with auto transmission. Well that looks light what I got...So what would be a better fix?, bigger radiator, add a xmission oil cooler or both? The current radiator does fine right now although it runs +200 when towing my bass boat(180 degree Thermostat) so I was already thinking about a fan shroud. Anyone here had similar situation?

thanks, Bill

Cethern · 07-22-2004, 11:19 PM

I would get both a bigger Rad and a aux Tranny cooler. In the long run it will help to have the tranny run cooler and your engine too. Just my two cents

Cethern

Robert1970C20rstbukt · 07-22-2004, 11:20 PM

Get a fan shroud and a tranny cooler, it'll run a lot better. I had my truck without a fan shroud for a while and it ran hot all the time, but didn't get to the overheating point. I installed a shroud and a HD clutch fan and it runs a helluva lot cooler. And the way the temps are around here(mid-high 90's everyday) I'm gonna get a tranny cooler also. As for the radiator, they're made in 1, 2, 3, and 4 row designs. 4 row radiators cool the best, because they're bigger. Your's probably has a 2 row radiator. You could probably get a 3 or 4 row radiator, but they're more expensive. You'd also have to get longer radiator holddown brackets. I got a 3 row for my truck and it was $180, new, not rebuilt.

busterwivell · 07-22-2004, 11:27 PM

I got a 4 core for about 220. With AC, use a big radiator, a shroud, and a tranny cooler. Heat kills things like engines and transmissions pretty quickly. Enjoy your AC!

bgood · 07-22-2004, 11:35 PM

Do the types of oil coolers you use have their own cooling fans or do the rely on another means? Any recomendations on brands and where to mount them?
Sorry for all the ???s but I want to do this install right the first time!

nate68 · 07-23-2004, 01:42 AM

B & M makes a decent one. i think they call it "super cooler" or something like that. got mine from summit for a fair price

busterwivell · 07-23-2004, 09:51 AM

I've never seen one with a fan, but get a good sized one. mount it in front of the radiator, that uses the stock fan to pull air thru it.

slam33 · 07-23-2004, 10:34 AM

I have a 4 core rad and a tranny cooler, but I don't use the together. The tranny cooler is on it's own. When I converted to a TH350 from a 3 speed stick I found that my old 3 core was leaking into the tranny cooler fittings on the rad. I got the largest cooler I could find and use it as a stand alone. works great for me.

ChevLoRay · 07-23-2004, 10:47 AM

My truck came with air, and automatic. It had a 4-row core radiator, which began to leak. I bought a replacement through a radiator shop, for about $190. I messed up the threads when I was hookin' up the cooler lines, so I got a cooler. Mounted it in front of the radiator, on the right side. Everything runs cool enough.

www.flex-a-lite.com has a "stand alone" cooler with a fan already mounted to it. All you have to do is mount it where it can get some air. They say you can even mount it in the trunk, as long as it is vented. I saw it on page 166 of the August issue of Street Trucks magazine.

72C203503ONTHETREE · 07-23-2004, 02:24 PM

I have the 20,000 pound stand alone B&M cooler with the fan on my 83 El Camino. It will definately keep any trans cool.

07-22-2004, 11:10 PM	#1
bgood Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 80	Transmission oil coolers: Anybody use'em? Long story here, I'm wondering if I would be better served to use a cooler or go to a bigger radiator. I am in the middle of a Vintage Air install on my 67 C10 with 350 4bbl and TH350 and I run across this note in the instructions tellin me their units won't work so well with the narrower(thinner?) radiators that came on I6 with auto transmission. Well that looks light what I got...So what would be a better fix?, bigger radiator, add a xmission oil cooler or both? The current radiator does fine right now although it runs +200 when towing my bass boat(180 degree Thermostat) so I was already thinking about a fan shroud. Anyone here had similar situation? thanks, Bill

07-22-2004, 11:19 PM	#2
Cethern What was I thinking?? Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Commerce City Co Posts: 637	Get both I would get both a bigger Rad and a aux Tranny cooler. In the long run it will help to have the tranny run cooler and your engine too. Just my two cents Cethern __________________ 72 K5 that needs lots of parts.. 71 GMC 3/4 4x4 That doesn't need much which is a good thing I don't think I could aford another money pit...

07-22-2004, 11:20 PM	#3
Robert1970C20rstbukt Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Beeville, Texas Posts: 1,943	Get a fan shroud and a tranny cooler, it'll run a lot better. I had my truck without a fan shroud for a while and it ran hot all the time, but didn't get to the overheating point. I installed a shroud and a HD clutch fan and it runs a helluva lot cooler. And the way the temps are around here(mid-high 90's everyday) I'm gonna get a tranny cooler also. As for the radiator, they're made in 1, 2, 3, and 4 row designs. 4 row radiators cool the best, because they're bigger. Your's probably has a 2 row radiator. You could probably get a 3 or 4 row radiator, but they're more expensive. You'd also have to get longer radiator holddown brackets. I got a 3 row for my truck and it was $180, new, not rebuilt. __________________ RJD 1984 Chevrolet C30 welding truck 454/SM465 1977 GMC C15 pickup 350/TH350 1970 Chevrolet C20 pickup 350/TH400 1970 Chevrolet K20 Suburban 454/TH350 1969 GMC 8500 478M V6/5 spd winch truck

07-22-2004, 11:27 PM	#4
busterwivell Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Sahuarita, AZ USA Posts: 2,033	I got a 4 core for about 220. With AC, use a big radiator, a shroud, and a tranny cooler. Heat kills things like engines and transmissions pretty quickly. Enjoy your AC! __________________ Bill - Tucson, AZ 47 Chevrolet 2 dr sedan 56 Chevrolet 210 2 dr sedan 66 Chevrolet Malibu 2 dr 4 speed 71 Chevrolet C30 Longhorn 86 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS (Sold) 01 Chevrolet Tahoe IM - BUSTERWIVE@aol.com

07-22-2004, 11:35 PM	#5
bgood Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 80	Thanks guys, I meant to ask Do the types of oil coolers you use have their own cooling fans or do the rely on another means? Any recomendations on brands and where to mount them? Sorry for all the ???s but I want to do this install right the first time!

07-23-2004, 01:42 AM	#6
nate68 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: ca Posts: 1,110	B & M makes a decent one. i think they call it "super cooler" or something like that. got mine from summit for a fair price __________________ 68 short step, 406/700r4, 9" w/discs.

07-23-2004, 09:51 AM	#7
busterwivell Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Sahuarita, AZ USA Posts: 2,033	I've never seen one with a fan, but get a good sized one. mount it in front of the radiator, that uses the stock fan to pull air thru it. __________________ Bill - Tucson, AZ 47 Chevrolet 2 dr sedan 56 Chevrolet 210 2 dr sedan 66 Chevrolet Malibu 2 dr 4 speed 71 Chevrolet C30 Longhorn 86 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS (Sold) 01 Chevrolet Tahoe IM - BUSTERWIVE@aol.com

07-23-2004, 10:34 AM	#8
slam33 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Long Beach, Ca Posts: 1,432	I have a 4 core rad and a tranny cooler, but I don't use the together. The tranny cooler is on it's own. When I converted to a TH350 from a 3 speed stick I found that my old 3 core was leaking into the tranny cooler fittings on the rad. I got the largest cooler I could find and use it as a stand alone. works great for me. __________________ 71 LWB 350/350still working on it but it's going tp be sweet. www.geocities.com/stevemau/slam33page.html " TARGET=_blank>http://www.geocities.com/stevemau/slam33page.html?1004806705410 </A>

07-23-2004, 10:47 AM	#9
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	My truck came with air, and automatic. It had a 4-row core radiator, which began to leak. I bought a replacement through a radiator shop, for about $190. I messed up the threads when I was hookin' up the cooler lines, so I got a cooler. Mounted it in front of the radiator, on the right side. Everything runs cool enough. www.flex-a-lite.com has a "stand alone" cooler with a fan already mounted to it. All you have to do is mount it where it can get some air. They say you can even mount it in the trunk, as long as it is vented. I saw it on page 166 of the August issue of Street Trucks magazine. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

07-23-2004, 02:24 PM	#10
72C203503ONTHETREE Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Grant, Alabama Posts: 504	I have the 20,000 pound stand alone B&M cooler with the fan on my 83 El Camino. It will definately keep any trans cool. __________________ 72 Chevy C20, SOLD (Dang it.) 09 Challanger RT six speed in all black. 74 Datsun 710 wagon, all 1.8 liters of screaming Datsun power. 73 C10 long bed, 350/350 combo, nice shape.



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