Tranny Cooler Install Question

[teggenberger]

Hi,
I'm going to install a Trany Oil Cooler on my 95 3.8L Windstar (120Kmi). The instructions say to put the cooler in-line with the existing, 'already-cooled', tube that goes back to the tranny from the radiator.
Question:
How important is it to get the right line? (i.e. what if I put it on the 'hot' line accidentally?)
and, if it is important, Which line is the 'cooled' line?

If your facing the Radiator from behind (drivers seat) there are two line into the Radiator from the Tranny - Top Right and bottom right.

I'm going to be towing a 2,000 lbs trailer and want the cooler as a precaution - any tips?

Thanks alot - great site, great info.

[ModMech]

It is important to get the cooler on the "to trans" circuit. With the newer radiators getting smaller all the time, you can easily run into trouble with re-heating of the ATF if you put the new cooler BEFORE the factory one.

Unless you live in a very cold climate, colder ATF will ALWAYS be far better than warmer ATF.

[garync1]

This May work for you. If you have a thermometer like a metal cooking one you can touch it to the lines after tranny has warmed and see which one is hotter than the other.Just make sure your hands dont get to close to the fan but you should be safe anyway. AN OLD mechanic told me this trick a long time ago but most of the ones I have removed had markings on them already BUT Ford does not. The Cooler line being return to tranny. The hotter line being out to cooler.

[teggenberger]

Originally Posted by garync1

after tranny has warmed and see which one is hotter than the other.

thanks for your replies:
I tried feeling the lines to find the cooler of the two before my original post. neither of them was particularly hot. After a 20mi. drive I could place my finger on each line (the metal tubing portion) and they were both warm (probably ambient heat).

I talked with (independantly) several people that I work with. They all seemed to think, logically, that the 'Hot' goes into the top (from the T-stat in the block) and the 'Cooled' comes out the bottom (to the Water pump-to circulate the fresh supply).
So, is it safe to assume (i know - 'never assume anything') that the ATF hot goes to the top and the 'cooled' comes out the bottom as well?

Thanks again.

[wiswind]

The fluid flows IN the radiator cooler at the TOP.....and OUT the bottom.

From reading a TSB on Alldata.....the fluid flows out of the transaxle in the TOP line.....and in to the transaxle through the bottom line....

My '96 transmission fluid lines have a square-ish block in front of the transaxle......in the metal lines.... This is a thermal switch. When the fluid is colder than about 32 degrees F, the switch sends the fluid back into the transaxle....bypassing the cooler(s). When the fluid is above that temp. The fluid flows through the coolers.

I found coolers at a good price at www.bulkpart.com

I have not bought from this site.....as I found the site well after buying and installing my cooler. I bought the Derale cooler.....which is listed on that site....for much less than I paid. I got the 17500 GVW size.
I used the plastic rods to mount the cooler directly to the front of the radiator assembly.