How long can you run a trans without any cooler?

As I am working on install, there are steps to things. It would be wonderful if things only had to go together once, but alas.

So after installing the brand new engine and transmission, I have the trans cooler lines. I am making metal lines to go to radiator, out of radiator and forward to trans cooler, and then back.
All of those things need to be lined up proper with the radiator cross member installed etc.
Prior to doing all that, I just want to get it started and moveable.

So my plan is to just make a 2 foot loop from trans output line to input line with no trip to the radiator or trans cooler.
This isn't for anything but starting and moving the car around. 10 minutes maybe at a time and not more than 100yds moving around.

Once I get things all lined up with front sheet metal, then comes final disassembly, powder coating and final paint etc and the lines will be finish installed then.

Any problem with my thinking?

 

I personally don’t see an issue with your idea. In theory as long as the fluid isn’t getting too hot it will be fine. I say no issue just run it as short as possible while moving it.

 

Just don't get all excited and decide to take it for a rip down the street.

 

I would not make an attempt to check out where the stall speed is, other than that I do not see an issue at all.

 

I think the most would be to drive it literally across the street to the shop that can do the alignment since all parts are new, which is right next door to the guy that does exhaust. So maybe 200 yards. I wonder what the top speed on a Go-Stop inside 200 yards is?

 

One question comes to mind: What is the capacity of the cooler section of the rad?
Fluid is pumped in at the bottom and flows out the top and hence the amount of fluid in the trans drops and this is why checking trans fluid level is done with the engine running.
If you just use a loop of hose would the level in the trans remain abnormally high? Would that be detrimental?

Bob

 

Yes just level off the fluid while it’s running as normally done.

 

I put a manual trans rad in a auto trans car. Did not have a after market cooler at the time of install so just bypassed the with some 3/8 hose.. figured get to it later its winter time no big hurry...... It got put off and off and off to a point it didn't get done... trans worked great for years... sold the car got the car back years later as a total. Trans got put in anther car it worked great.

 

Now for what its worth... The trans cooler in the rad is not just a cooler its also a aid in getting the temp up in to temp in the trans.. A after market cooler only is not a good idea.....

 

I've heard that it helps equalize and pre warm the fluid. Probably make zero difference in my case but I did plumb it all inline, one to the next.

 

This reminds me of when I was 14 and I had dropped out of school and started working as an apprentice auto mechanic for a old disabled war vet mechanic. We had swapped in a used trans into a car and the customer refused to pay the agreed price and called the police to help get the car back without paying as there was no paperwork. When the police showed up with the car owners my boss asked me to tighten the trans bolts before it left. A wink and a nod and I went under the car and pinched off the trans lines with vice grips.

the guys took the car without paying and headed on a 5 hour drive up a mountain. The trans overheated and slipped so bad they were stranded in the middle of nowhere. They came back to fight us but we whipped their butts and sent them on their way LOL . Being 14 I used weapons LOL, the boss needed none.

 

agreed the only reason to use the rad trans cooler is to hemp warm the transmission fluid

 

I haven't run a radiator-trans cooler for more than 40 years. A front-mounted cooler only from the time it was my daily driver to now. I always figured it was a little bit of extra cooling capacity for the engine that always ran warm with a 4-core and a 160° thermostat. Much better with an aluminum one but still not running the trans through it.

 

Guys don't forget the power glide was air cooled..... I remember a 62or63 Biscayne 348 Pglide with a G gear,,,, no 1st or low on the selector.... No cooling lines...

 

Had a chevy 1/2 ton 350 350... Cold blooded transmission.... Start the motor no problem, put in gear, die, restart put in gear die... Ok wait longer,, All I can remember is that thing took forever to warn up, Till that motor was up to running temp it wasn't moving..

Attached a wire to the starter (S) post ran a push button to bypass the neutral safety switch.. problem solved start motor let it warm up a for a bit them put in gear let it die push the button start and roll.