I kinda feel stupid asking and should have noted it before...Does the trans fluid flow into the top and out the bottom of the radiator on a 79 automatic vette or is it the other way around? I ran new lines from my new 700r4 and noticed it getting a little warm (190 deg.) was considering a external cooler to help but needed to make sure they are ran into the rad, correctly first. Thanks

edited for stupidity on my part

|UPDATED|6/10/2004 10:14:00 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

It needs to go in the bottom, and out the top. This prevents air pockets. If you fill from the top, fluid drops down through air and does not fill the cooler. By filling from the bottom the air is forced out of the top, and no air pockets. The air pockets drasticly reduce cooling.

|UPDATED|6/10/2004 8:41:16 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

Where does the air go when forced out???

Through the return line, into the trans pan, and then just swaps fluid space for air space in the pan. Of course the fluid level drops, and needs refilled.

Also if you are adding an extra cooler, add it after the radiator cooler, not before. If you put an add on cooler before the radiator, the radiator cooler can actually warm the fluid back up a bit before returning to the trans. By placing it in series after the radiator cooler, you increase cooling quite a bit.

|UPDATED|6/10/2004 8:54:30 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

Thanks Ken

Thanks ken!

kstyer said: Also if you are adding an extra cooler, add it after the radiator cooler, not before. If you put an add on cooler before the radiator, the radiator cooler can actually warm the fluid back up a bit before returning to the trans. By placing it in series after the radiator cooler, you increase cooling quite a bit.

one of the biggest fears i have in adding a secondary cooler is the lack of a good rock proof location for the cooler where it will still get good airflow.. (be sure you dont put it in front or behind radiator)...

i lost a thm 350 to a rock through an addon cooler once... since then I have thought about what I should have done..

used a low pressure kill switch.. i know this is common for engine oil.. ive never done it, seen it done, or even read about it with trasmission fluid..

does anyone know what kind of pressure these lines should have..

perhaps a holley 12-810 safety pressure switch to either kill ignition or kill fuel pump

am i smoking crack or is this a good safety idea???

It can't hurt. Pressure in the cooler lines runs from 10 psi to about 30 or 40 psi. If it drops under 5 it would be good reason to shut it down. Just make sure you put the switch in the feed to the cooler, not the return, our you will be shut down a lot.

kstyer said: It can't hurt. Pressure in the cooler lines runs from 10 psi to about 30 or 40 psi. If it drops under 5 it would be good reason to shut it down. Just make sure you put the switch in the feed to the cooler, not the return, our you will be shut down a lot.

thats what i was thinking.. feed line.. of course this is all just academic as I dont drive autos anymore..