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Topic: Trany Fluid Cooling Lines?

in Forum: C3 Engines

Trany Fluid Cooling Lines?

Posted: 4/3/08 8:13am Message 1 of 8
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Apache Junction, AZ - USA
Joined: 10/15/2006
Posts: 285
Vette(s): 1982,150K,Renegade CFI,Hooker Side Pipes,85 fuel pump,Bilsteins,HD suspension, Aluminum radiator, SharkBar/w 5-Point Restraints. 3:73 gears coming soon.
I have an 82 and I am installing an external stacked plate fluid cooler. From all that I have heard, I will be running it through the radiator cooler first, then through the external cooler, back to the transmission.
  Question: On the radiator, which line is the the flow FROM the transmission, the top line or the bottom line?
Thanks!



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Trany Fluid Cooling Lines?

Posted: 4/3/08 4:35pm Message 2 of 8
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Cramerton, NC - USA
Joined: 8/22/2006
Posts: 1094
Vette(s): black 1982 coupe slate gray interior, 350 crossfire, 1985 fuel pump, Steeroids R&P conversion
Phill,  I checked the  82 AIM and the factory service manual, couldnt tell which was incoming and which was outgoing...


Trany Fluid Cooling Lines?

Posted: 4/3/08 5:06pm Message 3 of 8
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Mounds View, MN - USA
Joined: 5/24/2007
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Vette(s): 70 LT1 coupe, 69 350 HP coupe, 69 390HP 427 coupe, 71 LS5 convert, 85 coupe, 93 coupe
I can't find an accurate reference, but I believe that the fluid flows in the bottom and out the top of the radiator so it is always full.  I will try to find a confirmation of that.

Larry



Trany Fluid Cooling Lines?

Posted: 4/3/08 6:20pm Message 4 of 8
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Dorr, MI - USA
Joined: 8/21/2002
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Vette(s): 71 Colonnade Hardtop Coupe Torch Red with black interior originally L48 built to push around 360hp
I have removed a number of radiators with external coolers. The fluid flows into the bottom of rad, then from top to the cooler and back to tranny.


Trany Fluid Cooling Lines?

Posted: 4/3/08 7:14pm Message 5 of 8
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
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Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Yup...in at da bottom...out on da top.
If I may make a suggestion, tho...why not bypass the radiator completely?
If the auxiliary cooler you have is sized correctly, it will actually cool better if you run it as a stand-alone cooler. On average, they will run about 40deg cooler this way.


btw...the stacked plate design is more efficient than the round tube & fin type coolers. The only drawback is the added restriction to the flow of the fluid. It isn't that bad, but if the cooler gets any trash in it from the trans, it will stop up easier than the tube-fin style cooler.


Joel Adams
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Trany Fluid Cooling Lines?

Posted: 4/4/08 8:46am Message 6 of 8
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Apache Junction, AZ - USA
Joined: 10/15/2006
Posts: 285
Vette(s): 1982,150K,Renegade CFI,Hooker Side Pipes,85 fuel pump,Bilsteins,HD suspension, Aluminum radiator, SharkBar/w 5-Point Restraints. 3:73 gears coming soon.
Thanks for the help!
  Joel, I think my cooler is big enough for a stand alone so I could bypass the radiator cooler altogether. I will try that and see how the temps are.
Thanks!
 



Trany Fluid Cooling Lines?

Posted: 4/4/08 9:41am Message 7 of 8
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Waterford, MI - USA
Joined: 9/13/2002
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Vette(s): 1973 Red coupe

It was always recommended that you use the radiator cooler so the oil would heat up to operating temperature on the cold days of winter. Since we don't usually drive in the winter it is not necessary.




Brian - NCM Lifetime Member

73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
3.55 gear BTO 200-4R trans,
Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System

Dewitt radiator and dual electric fans
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Trany Fluid Cooling Lines?

Posted: 4/4/08 10:27am Message 8 of 8
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
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Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
[QUOTE=Redwingvette]It was always recommended that you use the radiator cooler so the oil would heat up to operating temperature on the cold days of winter. Since we don't usually drive in the winter it is not necessary.[/QUOTE]

This would be valid in the Northern areas, where it gets a little chilly. Don't see much really cold weather in Arizona, or most of the Southern states...
For vehicles in the really cold areas, there are actually cooler bypass valves built into the radiator cooler lines. They will bypass the rad. cooler until the trans fluid is at normal operating temp.


Joel Adams
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

in Forum: C3 Engines


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