Trans cooler.

[Chargerfreak]

Hello there,

I've had troubles with my engine overheating at idle after driving...

I'm now thinking the problem might be my trans.. Because when the engine got pretty hot, the trans was shifting harder  (hand shifts on a automatic i mean, from 1 to 2 or R to N etc etc..)

Maybe the trans oil heats up the coolant in the radiator?

I already have a trans cooler laying here and am going to install it, what's the best way? I thought to delete it from the radiator, in my case since i'm thinking it may heat up the coolant..

I'ts about my '68 Charger 383, 727 with 2500 converter.

Already replaced water pump, removed thermostat, new flex fan. I'm running no fan shroud and don't want to.. It's a 2 year old radiator 3 core.. So even without thermostat it heated up...

Who's got the answer(s)\

Thanks,
Chris.

[Chargerfreak]

BTW, I hope you understand it all, i'm dutch.. GRTZ

[dodge freak]

Hate to tell you this but you need a fan shroud. , Or maybe not, got $250 to spend? Get a electric fan, two of them side by side. That should do it. Your trans is not heating up your rad,but the trans is not cooling off. Put that cooler on too. I would by pass the rad, but some people like to do both. The rad is not getting air though it sitting still, thats why they made the shroud. I did not like it either so I got a electric one but one is not too good you need two and its not cheap.

[Todd Wilson]

The shroud at idle will keep the engine cool.  You need a thermostat in the engine.   I have seen trannys cause excess heat in the radiator but thats usually from hard pulling of a trailer or something in a  truck. Probably not your reason.   If you want to run the cooler I would put it inline and ahead of your radiator cooler. The reason being is if you drive in cold weather  the tranny fluid will cool off a bunch with the cooler and then possibly be returned to normal temps as it pass's thru the radiator side of things. In summer it may also get a little more cooling.


Todd

[hemigeno]

The shroud at idle will keep the engine cool.  You need a thermostat in the engine.   

  on both counts.

Without a thermostat, you'll be running the coolant through the radiator too quickly for the radiator to do its job.  Get a 170 or 180 degree full-flow thermostat, and try that first.  You might be able to get by without the shroud, but there's a reason they put those on there - they work.

Using the electric fans could replace the flex & shroud combo, but nothing will cure the lack of a thermostat.

[deputycrawford]

     I agree with everything everybody is saying. I bought a car that was overheating while at highway speeds because she thought she blew a head gasket. I put a thermostat in it and am still drving it.
     A fan shroud creates negative air pressure through the radiator and literally pulls air throught the cooling fins while idling. A flex fan does not move much air.  You also need the fan clutch on your car.
     The car will rev much faster than the waterpump can absorb the twisting. If you keep the flex fan you WILL break the snout off your water pump. The clutch allows the waterpump bearing slow down on its reaction to engine speeds. This saves the breaking of the water pump snout. I won't tell you how I know this.  
     Put a shourd and fan clutch back on the car. Then put in the 180 thermostat and enjoy the car again.

[Steve P.]

     I agree with everything everybody is saying. I bought a car that was overheating while at highway speeds because she thought she blew a head gasket. I put a thermostat in it and am still driving it.
     A fan shroud creates negative air pressure through the radiator and literally pulls air through the cooling fins while idling. A flex fan does not move much air.  You also need the fan clutch on your car.
     The car will rev much faster than the waterpump can absorb the twisting. If you keep the flex fan you WILL break the snout off your water pump. The clutch allows the waterpump bearing slow down on its reaction to engine speeds. This saves the breaking of the water pump snout. I won't tell you how I know this.  
     Put a shroud and fan clutch back on the car. Then put in the 180 thermostat and enjoy the car again.

  Flex fans are great for weight savings.. BUTTTTTTTTTTTTTT like to take out water pumps, radiators, shrouds and HOODS............  I hate'em.

[dodge freak]

This is why I love electric  fans, most of the brand new cars have them too. Makes the engine compartment look neater too. I may have been wrong on that $250 price, I have seen them now hitting $500 , wow. I hope they sure work good.