Trans. Cooler Location - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

6600DURAMAX · 02-21-2009, 02:54 PM

I have a 72 4x4 - 468 with a Turbo 350. I plan on adding a B&M trans cooler with fan. I was think of locating it under the pass. side cab on the outside of the frame. Would this location provide ample airflow?? Or does it have to go up in the front of the radiator. If it does go up in front should you run the trans lines to the cooler then to the radiator, opposite, or just to the cooler itself?

If I can run it under the pass side cab it would limit how much stainless hose I have to buy? Plus I plan on adding AC, and I dont want the cooler in the way of the condenser?

Ideas, thoughts

thanks guys

ChevLoRay · 02-21-2009, 03:01 PM

I mounted mine to the radiator (a/c condensor) on the right side (passenger) and passed the cooler lines over the top of the radiator support. It was a temporary installation that lasted for several years. I had installed a new radiator and gilflirted the end of one cooler fitting and it wouldn't thread into the bottom radiator fitting. I never had any issues with the tranmission getting hot (no guage), nor any overheating of the cooling system with the cooler in front of the radiator.

Would it have looked more aesthetic if I had mounted it beneath the truck? It's possible, but my truck is lowered and any mounting that would have generated enough air flow would have found me mounting it in an iffy location. My plan is to install bulkhead fittings and re-route the cooler lines.

mikeoj · 02-21-2009, 03:10 PM

I had a 454/400 with the set up you are suggesting.The fan creates the air flow.Just make sure the air flow is downward as not to suck road junk up.The reason I said had,is because I'm going to experiment with a 700R.

texanidiot25 · 02-21-2009, 03:35 PM

With the fan you can mount it anywhere basically. As long as that fan can move air your good.

big_al_71 · 02-21-2009, 04:47 PM

We mounted mine on the drivers side attached to the radiator support and ran the lines back thru the frame..look below:

6600DURAMAX · 02-21-2009, 04:50 PM

Nice clean setup Big Al I was originally going to mount it there but at the expense of the stainless steel hose, I just thought keeping it closer to the trans could save some dough. Just wanted to make sure that location was good enough.

spinning wheels · 02-21-2009, 09:53 PM

Mount it up front, to get the maximum air flow, even with the fan setup.
One other option is to run the long, about 8 inch high coolers. Much like the newer Ford trucks do. They mount them low, in front of the radiator.
Personally, I have by passed my radiator tank. I have not installed a tranny temp gauge yet. Considering that most trannys run hotter than motor oil in the engine, or the cooling liquid in the engine, you should be able to run the tranny lines into the radiator cooling tanks.
Maybe you can try experimenting with either setup. Just don't run the SS lines until you have determined which setup works best.
Check the temp with a tranny fluid temp, or a piro gun. But that's what I would do, cause I love to tinker with stuff.
Good luck

Andy4639 · 02-22-2009, 01:09 AM

I put mine between the condensor and radiator. Ran the lines to both coolers. I mounted the coolier so the lines come in at the top.

see ten · 02-22-2009, 09:28 AM

You could mount one like this on the frame without a fan.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/18-AL...QQcmdZViewItem

We're using one on my brother in laws camaro. So far so good! They're available in different lengths. I'd get the longest one that I thought I could fit in there. You can also get em with fittings on both ends. I prefer them to have them on just one end. It cut down on the amount of tubing we had to use to plumb it that way.

cparman · 02-22-2009, 09:45 AM

I might suggest you run the transmission lines ( hard lines ) in a stock location into the radiator and then out of the radiator to your external cooler. If the trans fluid goes into the radiator cooler and then out to an external cooler, it will help regulate the trans fluid temp. Trans fluid likes to be warm but not too hot. I did the in and out thing on my 67 Chevelle, ZZ502,700r and it worked great in sunny florida. This would also keep you from buying a bunch of expensive line.

cdowns · 02-22-2009, 09:48 AM

a downside to mounting under the cab is the chance of road debris bouncing up and whiping it and the tranny out//i too suggest going thru the rad then into the cooler in front of the rad

Andy4639 · 02-22-2009, 11:02 AM

Yes if you mount it under the truck be sure and have it in a safe place for road debri not to hit it also if you live in the upper states when it snows and such it will build up under there if you drive it.

Mine is also running through both coolers and it's got over 150,000 miles on the transmission.

02-21-2009, 02:54 PM	#1
6600DURAMAX Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Wheatfield IN, USA Posts: 1,107	Trans. Cooler Location I have a 72 4x4 - 468 with a Turbo 350. I plan on adding a B&M trans cooler with fan. I was think of locating it under the pass. side cab on the outside of the frame. Would this location provide ample airflow?? Or does it have to go up in the front of the radiator. If it does go up in front should you run the trans lines to the cooler then to the radiator, opposite, or just to the cooler itself? If I can run it under the pass side cab it would limit how much stainless hose I have to buy? Plus I plan on adding AC, and I dont want the cooler in the way of the condenser? Ideas, thoughts thanks guys __________________ 1972 K5 Build - plans - LS3-6L80e-One Tons..... 1971 CREWMAX Build.....at body shop for couple more years

02-21-2009, 03:01 PM	#2
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Re: Trans. Cooler Location I mounted mine to the radiator (a/c condensor) on the right side (passenger) and passed the cooler lines over the top of the radiator support. It was a temporary installation that lasted for several years. I had installed a new radiator and gilflirted the end of one cooler fitting and it wouldn't thread into the bottom radiator fitting. I never had any issues with the tranmission getting hot (no guage), nor any overheating of the cooling system with the cooler in front of the radiator. Would it have looked more aesthetic if I had mounted it beneath the truck? It's possible, but my truck is lowered and any mounting that would have generated enough air flow would have found me mounting it in an iffy location. My plan is to install bulkhead fittings and re-route the cooler lines. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

02-21-2009, 03:10 PM	#3
mikeoj Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: WI,USA Posts: 495	Re: Trans. Cooler Location I had a 454/400 with the set up you are suggesting.The fan creates the air flow.Just make sure the air flow is downward as not to suck road junk up.The reason I said had,is because I'm going to experiment with a 700R. __________________ 69 Lwb C-10 402/700R4 70 Lwb C-10 250/3pd Wisc.

02-21-2009, 03:35 PM	#4
texanidiot25 Eat My Rust Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Cypress, Texas Posts: 3,362	Re: Trans. Cooler Location With the fan you can mount it anywhere basically. As long as that fan can move air your good.

02-21-2009, 04:47 PM	#5
big_al_71 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: South Florida Posts: 11,375	Re: Trans. Cooler Location We mounted mine on the drivers side attached to the radiator support and ran the lines back thru the frame..look below: Attached Images __________________ Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please!!!!!. Sylvester's build thread >>>http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ht=big+rebuild

02-21-2009, 04:50 PM	#6
6600DURAMAX Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Wheatfield IN, USA Posts: 1,107	Re: Trans. Cooler Location Nice clean setup Big Al I was originally going to mount it there but at the expense of the stainless steel hose, I just thought keeping it closer to the trans could save some dough. Just wanted to make sure that location was good enough. __________________ 1972 K5 Build - plans - LS3-6L80e-One Tons..... 1971 CREWMAX Build.....at body shop for couple more years

02-21-2009, 09:53 PM	#7
spinning wheels Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Hacienda Heights, California USA Posts: 474	Re: Trans. Cooler Location Mount it up front, to get the maximum air flow, even with the fan setup. One other option is to run the long, about 8 inch high coolers. Much like the newer Ford trucks do. They mount them low, in front of the radiator. Personally, I have by passed my radiator tank. I have not installed a tranny temp gauge yet. Considering that most trannys run hotter than motor oil in the engine, or the cooling liquid in the engine, you should be able to run the tranny lines into the radiator cooling tanks. Maybe you can try experimenting with either setup. Just don't run the SS lines until you have determined which setup works best. Check the temp with a tranny fluid temp, or a piro gun. But that's what I would do, cause I love to tinker with stuff. Good luck __________________ '72 GMC custom camper 350/350 Last edited by spinning wheels; 02-21-2009 at 09:54 PM.

02-22-2009, 01:09 AM	#8
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,936	Re: Trans. Cooler Location I put mine between the condensor and radiator. Ran the lines to both coolers. I mounted the coolier so the lines come in at the top. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

02-22-2009, 09:28 AM	#9
see ten WTB this ad Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lafayette Georgia Posts: 5,073	Re: Trans. Cooler Location You could mount one like this on the frame without a fan. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/18-AL...QQcmdZViewItem We're using one on my brother in laws camaro. So far so good! They're available in different lengths. I'd get the longest one that I thought I could fit in there. You can also get em with fittings on both ends. I prefer them to have them on just one end. It cut down on the amount of tubing we had to use to plumb it that way.

02-22-2009, 09:45 AM	#10
cparman sharp as a marble Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: atlantic beach,florida Posts: 1,082	Re: Trans. Cooler Location I might suggest you run the transmission lines ( hard lines ) in a stock location into the radiator and then out of the radiator to your external cooler. If the trans fluid goes into the radiator cooler and then out to an external cooler, it will help regulate the trans fluid temp. Trans fluid likes to be warm but not too hot. I did the in and out thing on my 67 Chevelle, ZZ502,700r and it worked great in sunny florida. This would also keep you from buying a bunch of expensive line.

02-22-2009, 09:48 AM	#11
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Trans. Cooler Location a downside to mounting under the cab is the chance of road debris bouncing up and whiping it and the tranny out//i too suggest going thru the rad then into the cooler in front of the rad __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

02-22-2009, 11:02 AM	#12
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,936	Re: Trans. Cooler Location Yes if you mount it under the truck be sure and have it in a safe place for road debri not to hit it also if you live in the upper states when it snows and such it will build up under there if you drive it. Mine is also running through both coolers and it's got over 150,000 miles on the transmission. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.



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