Transmission cooler install-Chevy truck?

[saltbranch]

Got a question, maybe someone can help. 2005 silverado 4.3, auto....truck does not have a tranny cooler other than lines going into radiator. Which line do I need to run to the tranny cooler and then back from cooler into radiator? I'd like to keep the radiator as part of the tranny cooling.

 

[Diamondpilot]

It does not matter. One line is the line in and one is out. Your rad has a smaller cooler in it already it sounds like.

That said though I would install it in the return side so you get one last chance to cool prior to going back to the tyranny. If done the other way around it may actually work in reverse in extreme occasions and heat the fluid up by pulling heat from the coolant as a heat exchange.

Chris

 

[jeffsw6]

If done the other way around it may actually work in reverse in extreme occasions and heat the fluid up by pulling heat from the coolant as a heat exchange.

Normally the transmission cooler is installed before the water radiator, not after. I don't really know why, you can find 50 opinions on the Internet, but the way it is done from the factory is usually trans -> trans radiator -> water radiator -> trans.

 

[saltbranch]

Here is a diagram I found from derale tranny cooler site. Does anyone know which is the return line for sure on the chevy?

 

[Diamondpilot]

Yea, looks like there are two trains of thought on this one. Some say before and some say after.

As for which line the last one I did was on a Ford and the one on the drivers side was the return. I would look at the lines or the side of the tranny where they attach. Most I have worked on have been labeled. You can then follow the lines. Another messy way to do it is take both lines off and have a helper start the truck for a second. The one that pumps fluid out is the pressure/feed side.

Chris

 

[Turbys_1700]

My F350 has two coolers from the factory but I added a third on the passenger side frame rail that a is thermostat controlled fan unit...
I believe that the fan is set to come on if the returned fluid is over 185F...
My tranny temp gauge is set to read on the output side...
I like this set up because it works well if you are in slow moving traffic...

 

[saltbranch]

If I start the truck first thing in the Am and let it run a short time, one line should be warmer than the other, right? The cooler line would be the return, right? Just trying not to open a lines up and make a mess.

 

[boggen]

hhhmmmsss

when does a tranny get the hottest?

i would say when you have the truck fully loaded down (either stuff in the bed of truck) or (trailer that is fully loaded down, and truck and trailer are near or at there max limit of weight)

vs when there is nothing in bed of pickup truck and you are not pulling anything behind the truck.

do you want to cause engine to heat up more, due to higher temps from tranny oil heating things up? ((placing extra tranny cooler after radiator, assuming tranny gets warmer than what engine normally runs at when truck is pulling a heavy trailer))

or do you want to cool the engine more. and keep tranny oil perhaps more at a constant temp? ((placing extra tranny cooler before radiator, assuming tranny gets warmer than what engine normally runs at when truck is pulling a heavy trailer))

if truck runs on diesel warmer engine might be a good thing. more so with a heavy load being pulled.

 

[Diamondpilot]

If I start the truck first thing in the Am and let it run a short time, one line should be warmer than the other, right? The cooler line would be the return, right? Just trying not to open a lines up and make a mess.

I dont think you will be able to tell . What it matter anyway? You will have to open the system and will make a mess sooner or later.

Chris

 

[dclynch]

Here is a diagram I found from derale tranny cooler site. Does anyone know which is the return line for sure on the chevy?View attachment 275690

I would say according to the picture the bottom line is the return line