New Transmission - Cooling Questions

[76LongBox]

Hey guys...

Ok, so I have pretty much decided to move forward with a new engine/transmission for my 1976 GMC 2WD LWB truck.  I've decided to go with something that is fairly "stock" - the GM Crate Engine from JEGS for $1499.99 (shipped).  I've decided on the Edelbrock Air Gap Intake and the 600 cfm carb.  I might upgrade the cam in the engine with something very mild, not 100% sure on that part yet, but the engine, intake, and carb I'm sure about.

So on to the transmission.  I checked with a local transmission shop, and for the price of a rebuild, I can get a "new" one.  I'm considering the TCI Street Rodder TH350 ($993.75 with free shipping from TCI).  I don't know a lot about the various manufacturers/rebuilders out there, so I'd just like some opinions on the transmission itself and also about cooling options.

TCI recommends plugging the cooling line holes in the radiator and adding an external cooler.  I understand the theory behind this, but I wonder if it's really necessary.  The guy I chatted with from TCI also recommended an electric fan to add to the external cooler.  I also wonder about the necessity of this add-on.  With factory air on the truck, I don't have a ton of space between the grille and the A/C condenser, so I'm not sure I can even fit all of this in there.

This truck is going to just be a daily driver.  I might occasionally pull a 4-wheeler trailer behind it, but that'd be about it.  I'm mainly just wanting to keep it fairly stock and drive it around town some.  I am in Arkansas where the weather in the summer time does get pretty hot and humid.  I'm not sure how much this might matter as far as suggestions are concerned, so I thought I'd mention it.

Any recommendations or suggestions will be appreciated.

Thanks...

[rich weyand]

Transmissions heat up because of inefficiencies in the hydraulic system.  Much of this heat is due to chemical inefficiencies in the ATF itself.  Synthetic ATF reduces inefficiencies in the transmission, significantly reducing the heat generated by the transmission.  Put synthetic ATF in your new transmission and just hook it to the radiator connections.  Unless you're pulling a 35' travel trailer into a headwind at 70mph, you should be fine.

BTW, do not use the air-gap manifold without using the thermostatic air cleaner.  The carb will never heat up to operating temperature, and you will get poor performance and poor mileage.  Use the equivalent non-air-gap manifold if you don't want to use the stock thermostatic air cleaner (the one with the vacuum-operated door in the air cleaner snorkel and the heat riser pipe up from the exhaust manifold).

[76LongBox]

Thanks Rich...I do plan to use the stock air filter, which is why I was going with the air gap intake.

Also, I did some additional looking online and there were a lot of bad reviews on the TCI transmissions...some good, but it seemed like more bad than good.

So, I just got off the phone with B&M.  They have one for a little more (also with free shipping), so I might go that route based on reviews of the TCI's.

If anyone has any additional recommendations, I'm happy to hear from you.

[74 C-10 Shorty]

ATF heats up mainly from the torque converter it's a fluid coupling, run below the converter stall speed and fluid will overheat in a very short period of time no matter what fluid you have, although Syn does help keeping it cool..

[bd]

... TCI recommends plugging the cooling line holes in the radiator and adding an external cooler.  I understand the theory behind this, but I wonder if it's really necessary.  The guy I chatted with from TCI also recommended an electric fan to add to the external cooler.  I also wonder about the necessity of this add-on.  With factory air on the truck, I don't have a ton of space between the grille and the A/C condenser, so I'm not sure I can even fit all of this in there ....

Synthetic ATF (like Trans-Synd, Max Shift, etc) will modestly decrease the heat generated by the trans.  The most significant benefit of synthetic is its ability to withstand higher temps without cracking and breaking down.  Listen to the recommendations of your transmission vendor.

High temp shortens automatic trans life.  The cooler you run an automatic trans the better.  Run the cooler lines through the factory wet cooler then onto the biggest auxiliary cooler you can fit in front of the radiator.  If you're pressed for space use a stacked plate design from B&M or something similar.

[76LongBox]

Thanks for the info guys....I'm seriously looking at these B&M's now....they have some package deals available as well.  They will even "throw in" (yeah, I know I'm really paying for it somewhere else) 3 quarts of their Trick Shift fluid.  The guy recommended just putting some inexpensive stuff from the local auto parts store in there for break-in (500-1000 miles), then changing out to the "good stuff".

The guy from B&M also recommended (and it's documented on their website too) to run through the radiator AND the external cooler, where TCI was saying to just bypass the radiator altogether.  B&M's recommendation makes more sense to me.

B&M's torque converters are a little higher, and the transmission is slightly higher, but just looking at the reviews I've seen so far online, I will likely be money ahead to go with B&M over TCI.

Still happy to receive more feedback if anyone has any other suggestions or input.

[76LongBox]

Well, after posting the last update, I did some more searches online and my head was basically spinning with all of the reviews I found between B&M and TCI - it seemed that there were as many people that liked TCI over B&M as I had found earlier for the opposite.   

So, I called a buddy of mine who is knowledgeable and also has said he would help me with this whole swap out, and he said either of them are reputable companies.  Seeing that I'm in Arkansas, TCI is in Mississippi, and B&M is in California, I opted to go with TCI - just in case there are problems, it will be much cheaper to ship the tranny back to them vs. B&M.

So, I called TCI this morning to order, and I couldn't have been happier with the attitude and helpfulness of the salesperson.  They offer the package that includes a "universal" external cooler, but I wanted to go with one of the upgraded ones - one that is about $30 more than the universal one.  He gave me some kind of discount and I only had to pay a difference of $6.87 when it was all said and done.  Total price for the whole "kit" - $1326.69.

Hopefully I will be as happy with the transmission as I was with the guy on the phone this morning.  It's supposed to ship out today, so I'll probably have it tomorrow or Thursday.  Of course, it won't go on the truck right away, but at least I'll have it. 

I also ordered the GM Crate Engine from JEGS this morning - $1499.99 + 13.99 'handling' (I guess I can live with that). 

Now to just figure out all of the other items that need to be purchased, and get them on the way....

[werewolfx13]

Just be sure to route the fluid through the radiator first, and the cooler second. Don't bypass the radiator. There are several posts on here regarding the why's but in short, the fluid is "quenched" by the radiator, and then cooled by the external cooler.

[76LongBox]

Well, the transmission arrived today.  Everything looks good right now.  Now just waiting on the engine and then figure out what all other parts I need to get.  At least the ball is rolling after all these years of putting it off...

I'll keep everyone posted...

Thanks to everyone who has replied and offered advice.