I was wondering if someone could tell me whether this cooler would be able to cool my trans fluid as a standalone cooler. I'm running a TH350 w/about a 3000 stall converter, and a 3.08 rear gear and 235/60-15 tires. Running down the highway at about 70mph, turning about 3000rpm. https://derale.com/product-footer/f...ate2013-10-28-09-53-271253202964/13403-detail
Yes. I am using the 51606 and it is 5k BTU less cooling. I have a TH400 with 12 inch switch pitch converter and it chugs along under 160F run through the radiator and the cooler in series. If I am in town and dogging it, the hottest it ever got was near 180f but cooled back to less than 160F when I got back up to highway speed and 3000-3500 RPM 3:42 rear on 26.5 tires. 75-80 MPH This was a "stress test" on rebuilt trans and getting EFI some workout/learning. (running pressure and temp gauges to keep eyeballs on the transmission)
I installed the same cooler for my 700R4 last summer, along with a Derale Cooling Pan like this one for your TH350: https://derale.com/product-footer/transmission-pans/cooling-pans/14200-detail I replaced an old style tube and fin. My converter is around 2400 rpm, and I don't have a gauge on it (yet), but am confident it's overkill.
By standalone, I'm meaning by itself, and not running through the radiator at all. I'm planning on going to a Muncie 22z 4 spd later this year, but in the meantime, right now, I'm running it in line with the cooler in my current radiator(a Modine 4 row 67 GS400 replacement) in my 66 Skylark 455. It's running a little hotter than I want, so I bought a 2 row alum radiator w/o a trans cooler(because I'm going 4 spd later) and the TA HP water pump to try to get my cooling system in order. I'm ready to swap in the new radiator and water pump and run the trans cooler by itself, but I don't want to trash my TH350 in the process if the trans cooler won't cool it by itself. It's not a daily driver, but I have driven it to a couple of car shows(one was about 60 miles round-trip, and the other was about 100miles) and coolant temps got up to about 220* on the long one(was hotter out that day, too) 180* thermostat. I also don't want to throw any more money at it like buying a trans temp gauge when I'll probably never use it again after I swap the 4spd in. As I said, not a daily driver, but I'd like to be able to get in it and drive it 50-100 miles on the weekends occasionally. Thanks for the replies.
If the coolant temps are pushing 220, the radiator will transfer some of that heat to the trans fluid. You'll be fine with that cooler as a stand-alone unit. Just make sure it's in front of everything (radiator, a/c condenser, etc) for good air flow.
Yes. I was mentioning with mine running through the radiator and the car runs 185-195 that the trans temps still stays under 160 most of the time, so the cooler will have no trouble on its own.
Right now, I'm actually running through the Derale cooler first, and into the radiator cooler then back to the trans. With the thought that since I'm running a 3000 stall converter, and its pretty much always slipping and I'm heating up the trans fluid pretty good, so I'm trying to keep that heat out of the radiator so it won't run hotter. Car doesn't have a/c and the Derale trans cooler is mounted to the center upright for the hood latch, 2-3 inches in front of the radiator, with the hose connections pointed to the pass side, inlet on top, out on bottom feeding top of radiator trans cooler. Like the 73s. A lot. Regret not keeping mine years ago. 2 dr Luxus 350-2bbl Mediterranean blue w/blue cloth int and white vinyl top. Would love to get another one, a beater with a 350 and then put a 4 spd in it and drive the wheels off it.
I don't think you will get that much heat into the cooling system as it actually will be the opposite delta. The trans oil leaving the cooler and hitting the radiator cooler (which is very small surface area) will be cooler than the coolant in the radiator. Since I am reading fluid temp in the pan, including the oil from the cooler, and it is around 140-150F except for heavy transmission use (blasting around town trying like a teenager driving mom's car), I cannot think you will see much change if any. I think the biggest heat transfer is warm coolant to cold fluid soon after start up. But, I haven't scienced it out. I'm just reading chicken bones in the bottom of my coffee cup. (don't ask...)
Looks like the one I use, mounted the same way, https://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/transmission-cooler-recommendation.299758/ I have measured the cooler's temperature at various spots after highway driving in hot weather. I used an infrared temperature gun. I have never seen temperatures higher than 165*. I have it plumbed in series with the radiator trans cooler.
Larry, did you use any rubber isolators between the cooler and the hood latch upright? Or did you just direct mount it?
I mounted mine in the same place and used rubber grommets in the mounting holes of the cooler. I also used a 1/4" thick rubber isolator strip as a cushion.
If you mount it to the radiator or A/C condenser, absolutely use rubber isolators. I mounted mine to the Hood latch upright. No need for and isolator there.