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Using an A/C condenser as a tranny cooler?

chalet2506

chalet2506

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I have no idea if this would work because I know nothing about the condenser. But, it just looks like a large tube and fin cooler. And since I'm taking the a/c out of my 72 and I also need a tranny cooler I'm thinking maybe I could just leave it. The a/c condenser looks plenty big, is already mounted, and doesn't look like it would be to hard to build some lines to plumb it to the tranny/radiator.

Would it work?
 
I have two of them working that way, one for 14 years, the other for 8 years. Works pretty good if you ask me. Just make absolutely sure you get it flushed and cleaned out completely or you can damage your transmission. And make reliable connections or it could leave you stranded if any of the hoses come off.
 
Certainly should have no problem with either pressure or heat.
AC puts a lot more of both on one.

If you are in cold country, you might want to put a temp gauge on the system.
Its possible to run a tranny too cold, or so I hear, and that AC condenser is rated to remove a lot of heat.
On cold days, you might want to put some cardboard on it.

If you are going to leave the regular cooler hooked up, which I think is a good idea, I would recommend having the fluid go through the AC first, then the regular radiator cooler.

This will help take some of the heat load off the regular radiator, and let the coolant warm the fluid back up if its cold before it goes back to the tranny.

Doing it that way, would tend to eliminate the cardboard.......
 
I just run mine completely seperate. Have never had a problem with that. Here is some info directly from the TCI website.

Should I use an external transmission cooler in conjunction with the oil cooler supplied in the radiator?
Answer: Unless operating in an environment where the outside temperature is below 0°F, you should cap off the radiator cooler line openings and run your cooler lines directly to a new cooler mounted in front of the radiator. This allows the transmission to have its own cooling system and doesn't allow the engine water temperature to heat the fluid.

What is the correct size cooler for my application?
Answer: Unlike a lot of items you buy for your vehicle, bigger is predominately better when it comes to transmission coolers. The answer would be as big as you can get or to run multiple coolers in series, again staying away from the factory radiator cooler lines.
Click to expand...
 
Here's a pic for reference. Little tranny cooler the po had installed on top of the larger condenser. Maybe I'll pull it off and take it to a radiator shop and have them flush it.

If it's good, I think it would be large enough to bypass the radiator completely.

P7220016.JPG
 
Ive got a couple condensors and plan on using one of them for a tranny cooler if I dont swap to manual. Never tried it but it should work as long as the tranny stays in the proper operating temp. I've heard that its bad for them to be too cool.

On a side note I had a friend who's heater core went out on his wheelin rig so he hooked the hoses up to the a/c evaporator coil. on the coldest of cold days with the windows down you could wear short sleeves and still be sweating in that truck.
 
I have heard lots of answers and opinions about transmission temps. I think its pretty much agreed that fluid and transmission life is shortened as the oil gets hotter.
And, I know in engine oil, too cool is bad because it does not get out the moisture that helps cause sludge.
There should not be much if any moisture in a transmission's fluid.
But, I have read theories about viscosity, solvent properties, and changes in the coefficient of friction with temperature.

So, I don't know for sure.

Answer: Unlike a lot of items you buy for your vehicle, bigger is predominately better when it comes to transmission coolers. The answer would be as big as you can get or to run multiple coolers in series, again staying away from the factory radiator cooler lines.
Click to expand...

If you go by that, it sounds like running the fluid through a heat exchanger hooked to the air conditioner would be better than a radiator!

I mean, if cooler is better, lets get it down to single digits. Transmission should last forever..........:D

Since a transmission outfit wrote that, it might be a good idea to go by it. However, if you take the regular cooler out of the mix, I would be sure to include a temp gauge.

Even that small amount of loop in the bottom of the radiator will remove a huge amount of heat.
Water cooling always trumps air cooling.
So it might take a lot of air surface to make up for that.
 
like i mentioned in my build novel, BTO requires the rad be kept in the system to keep warranty on their units... so who's right there, TCI or BTO? "I know it's true cuz I saw it on the intraweb!" :haha:


I know, Heath thinks/experience is otherwise, but I definitely had issues getting the trans to operating temps in the winter up north here... how bad that is, who knows... if I lived in Florida, Texas, etc, I would run cooler only without batting an eye..

an AC condensor is just a giant tube/fin unit, works fine with the prior mentioned precautions...
 
radiator trans cooler is a sure thing all the time. I would keep it in and come out of that thru the secondary cooler then to trans.

Keep in mind that the clutch fans and electric fans do NOT run all the time - just when the engine heats up enough to turn it on. You could lose cooling to a setup which is aftermarket only for short periods of time. And trans do run HOT at times so make your call.

As long as you are moving at 35mph and above you should be getting enough airflow. Below that and down to idle you'll get progressively less airflow.

If you have a solid flex fan WITH a shroud I'd say bypass the radiator if you want to. Otherwise no.
 
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