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Tranny Cooling

I

Itali83

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I have a 87 Jimmy with 350 and 700r-4. It has a plow on it but I only plow my yard for the trucks sake. I like to take it easy on the truck especially the tranny so I give it breaks periodically. The tranny has the factory cooler that goes into the radiator. If I let my truck sit in neutral, while idling, is that cooling my tranny off a little or doing nothing? I'll let it sit there in neutral for like 5-10 mins while I'm brushing off another car that needs to be moved. So, am I doing good for the tranny or nothing? Thanks

"if it ain't got rust, it ain't got character."
 
I would go ahead and install an aftermarket tranny cooler, just to be safe. They're only about $50 and easy to install. It just plumbs into the existing cooler line and provides additional cooling after the coolant has been through the factory cooler. 700R4's and heat just aren't a good mix.
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<font color=black>HarryH3 - '75 K5</font color=black>
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://ThunderTruck.ColoradoK5.com>http://ThunderTruck.ColoradoK5.com</A>
 
I agree with Harry. Get a good cooler.

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<font color=blue>Happy Trails
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<font color=blue>Wayne</font color=blue>
 
I'm planning on getting a good cooler but can't really tie the truck up right now to do it. But by late spring it will have an external cooler. But by letting it idle in neutral will that cool it off some? And because my truck gets used at low speeds, should I get a tranny cooler with it's own electric fan? They aren't that much more. Thanks.
 
Running in neutral is probably better than shutting it off. At least the fluid is circulating. Plus if you're plowing, at least the air is cold.
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I don't understand the statement "can't really tie the truck up right now to do it". It only takes about an hour to install the cooler. Get a big one and mount it in front of the radiator and the engine fan will pull plenty of air through it to keep things cool.

<font color=black>HarryH3 - '75 K5</font color=black>
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://ThunderTruck.ColoradoK5.com>http://ThunderTruck.ColoradoK5.com</A>
 
Ok I looked up prices on coolers and I think I'll buy one soon. is it possible to acually use both coolers. Run through the rad. one, then go to the external one and back to tranny?? Just for added cooling? Also, I want a guage, where should the sending unit go, return line to tranny(know what the temp of oil is entering tranny), or on exit line from tranny(know what oil temp is of oil just leaving tranny.) Next question, I've seen guys mount the guage in the dash where the clock could be, I don't have a clock so this would be a good place for it, how hard is it to mount it there??? also, I have a/c so I'll mount the cooler between grill and condenser, Will the motor's fan pull enough air at low speeds because remember I plow, or should I get one with an electric fan to not only help with tranny cooler, but I would imagine help a little with the eng. rad. also. Thanks for any info.

"if it ain't got rust, it ain't got character."
 
You do use both coolers. The fluid will go through the factory cooler first, then it goes through the additional cooler.

I'd put the gauge sender in the line from the tranny. That will let you know how hot the tranny really is.

Mounting the cooler in front of the a/c condenser is fine. You could go with the electric fan powered cooler for an extra measure, but I'm not sure it's really required.

Mounting the gauge into the factory pod can be done, but it's a rather delicate operation.

<font color=black>HarryH3 - '75 K5</font color=black>
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://ThunderTruck.ColoradoK5.com>http://ThunderTruck.ColoradoK5.com</A>
 
Do any of you all have pictures of where you mounted your tranny cooler? That would help allot. I am going to install one too. is it difficult to mount in between the grill and the radiator?

baja surf nazi -...A late storm NEVER comes...

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Yes, in fact that is what they suggest, to run the cooler in "series". The fluid goes into the raidator cooler then out to the aftermarket cooler then back into the transmission.

'84 K5

Chevy in my blood.
 
They're really easy to mount. Just get one and read the instructions. You'll understand. When you mount it, make sure you leave room just encase you want to mount an oil cooler. Go to my site and go to the photo page and you'll see a pic of my blazer with the grill off. It's got an oil cooloer on it, but the actual "mini cooler" for the tranny mounts the same way. :-)

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Keep your feet dry
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<A target="_blank" HREF=http://muddin4fun.coloradok5.com>http://muddin4fun.coloradok5.com</A>
 
I've been doing more research on the coolers and stuff. First off, do any of you guys who have the tranny coolers, have a tranny oil thermostat?? I read about over cooling the oil. Any info on those would be cool.
Next, B&M says the best place for the sender is in the pan, but next best place is oil line going back into the tranny, people also tell me to put the sender in the return line back to the cooler. Where do you guys put the senders??
Next, what size do you guys usually get for the coolers, does 3/4" x 7-1/2"w x 15-1/2"l sound about right? Too big, too small, just right? I've decided on not getting one with a seperate fan. Any other info would be cool. Thanks!
Ben 87 Jimmy

"if it ain't got rust, it ain't got character"
 
i'm about to put the front clip back on.... whis is supply and return to the trans from the in-radiator cooler? upper or lower?

thanks, fellas!
 
Get a tranny cooler. I got myself a B&M 24,000 tranny cooler. It came with everything I needed and some great instructions. It can be installed in UNDER an hour and with hardly any work. On the 700R4 the top line is the "from rad to tranny" line. this is where you put the cooler. Heres how to do it.
1. Pop hood
2. Beer
3. Look at radiator and loosen top tranny line on radiator.
4. Beer
5. Insert one fitting onto radiator where you just took the line out.
6. Beer
7. Run hose where you want it to go. From front of radiator to close to where you just put that fitting. Don't go cutting yet.
8. Put clamp over end of hose thats under the hood. Attach hose to fitting.
9. Beer
10. Make sure hose is where you want it and then figure out exactky where you want the cooler. Don't clamp the cooler down yet!! But attach the hose!!
11. Cut line to fit.
12. Beer
13. Attach other fitting to the existing tranny line that goes back to tranny.
14. Put another clamp on the hose you just cut off. Attach that hose to that fitting you just put on.
15. Run hose to tranny cooler. Attach hose to cooler.
16. Beer
17. Make sure everything looks right and there are no kinks in the hose. Check clamps.
18. Now attach the cooler to the radiator or the condenser.
19. Beer
20. Warm the vehicle up and check the tranny fluid level. and leaks. Add as necessary (no not leaks you dumba$$es).
21. Um....I don't think there is any more


SK-15
J**P...it's whats for dinner!
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Roads? Where we're going, we don't need any roads!
 
how bad (harm) is it if you use only the external cooler (not the radiator cooler at all)? I had a transmission shop do this on another vehicle. Sounded suspicious which why I'm asking.
 
If you just use the external cooler and you live in a more cold climate you could end up with no fluid running through your tranny till the thing fully warmed up. Now what happens to a tranny with no fluid?

SK-15
J**P...it's whats for dinner!
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://SK-15.coloradok5.com>http://SK-15.coloradok5.com</A>
Roads? Where we're going, we don't need any roads!
 
very, very, very bad

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Keep your feet dry
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<A target="_blank" HREF=http://muddin4fun.coloradok5.com>http://muddin4fun.coloradok5.com</A>
 
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