Radiator question

[eventhorizon66]

I have a stock 2 core radiator in my '85 C10.  It came with an automatic cooler, but I have bypassed this and now use a remote trans cooler.  How much of my radiator core was used to cool the trans?  Looks like a significant amount of wasted space.  I have the rad out and I'm about to have it cleaned in prep for my new engine, unless..... Would I be better served (cooled) trying to find a good rad out of a manual trans truck?

By the way the new engine is only a Goodwrench 350.

[Lt.Del]

You can't have too much cooling power for your auto transmission...use both the external cooler and stock cooler.  Run it through the radiator cooler first, then external cooler to prevent the antifreeze heat from radiator to warm back up the trans fluid b4 it returns to your tranny. 

If you are going to a new engine, and if you have A/C, i would spend an extra $200 and go to a radiator shop and get a 4 core radiator. You never know if a few years down the road you may tow something. It'll bolt right in.  Check out my site...

http://www.delbridge.net/install

Again, I stress, use your stock cooler as well as the aftermarket external cooler....use both.  Tranny can and do cook.  Heat is the #1 reason for tranny failure.

[eventhorizon66]

Thanks for the advice. 

It was my mechanic that recommended not using the radiator cooler.  His reasoning was, the trans fluid runs much hotter than coolant so it ends up heating the coolant and making the radiator not as effective at cooling the engine.  But, funny thing, the engine did not run any cooler after deleting the trans cooler section, it actually started to run a bit hotter before I decided to tear it apart and replace the engine.

So I think I will take your advice and hook the trans lines back up to the raditor as well as hunt for a good deal on a 4 core.  That means I need to find another trans to radiator hard line (I cut/flared mine to install the remote cooler) stop the water.

Also, SgtDel thanks for the great website, I'll be using your ball joint install section soon.

[Captkaos]

There is little in the radiator as far as trans lines that could heat up the engine.  It is about a foot of tubing coiled in there.  The radiator will help reduce the heat via the coolant, just run it through the radiator and then through the external cooler back to the trans.

Just run some hoses back to radiator from the ones you cut, you just need a barb to connect it.

[VileZambonie]

The purpose of the cooler inside the radiator is to regulate the temperature of the ATF. When the engine reaches operating temperature the temp at the radiator will help keep the trans fluid at consistent temps. This is important and trying to just keep the fluid cool is not recommended. An auxiliary cooler is a great idea in addition to your factory cooler. Don't listen to your mechanic and I agree upgrade to a 4 row radiator.

[eventhorizon66]

Thanks for all the advice guys, ordered my new radiator today.  Also will take your suggestion Captkaos and simply use some rubber line and barb fittings to put the radiator back in the loop.  The wheels of progress are a turnin'.

[Blazin]

Don't just use any rubber line. Make sure its rated for trans fluid. ATF will eat gas line in a matter of days. If you look on the aftermarket coolers instructions it probably says not to delete the factory cooler. I run just the after market cooler in my 55 but thats because the radiator was for a standard, and thats how it was when I got it. One of theses days I will fix that, bur for now it does work just not correct.

[Lt.Del]

Good luck on it.  You have the right ideas.  Just don't use too much rubber line--hopefully the metal lines were not cut too far from the radiator.

[eventhorizon66]

Just don't use too much rubber line--hopefully the metal lines were not cut too far from the radiator.

No, less than a foot away from rad.