Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Manual Radiator for an Auto Truck??????

[hammersley]

OK - I have had it with overheating????? I've looked at all the posts including the group buy on the HD Griffin Radiator. I relocated my bottle 150,000 miles ago BUT will look at the radiator better tomorrow. I have a bug screen over it and keep it clean... .



2 Questions... ...



1. With an auto - don't we have a radiator that utilizes a portion of it's capacity to cool the transmission? Could you replace it with a Manual transmission model which I assume doesn't sacriface this cooling capacity? I mean you would have to put on a HD transmission Cooler..... has anybody done this??? Thoughts... .



2, Results of using the HD 1 1/2" Griffin Radiator??????

 

[Supermod56]

Sure you can use a manual radiator, the stock provision for cooling the autos sucks anyway. Get a good transmission cooler and be done with it. Can't comment on the Griffin, but it has to be better than stock I would think.



Tom

 

[WestTN]

The problem with that approach is that the trans may run too cold in the winter. The 'cooler' should probably be called a moderator as it cools sometimes and heats at other times.

 

[TMills]

have you checked your thermostat? It could be stuck closed.

 

[Hahn007]

The problem with that approach is that the trans may run too cold in the winter. The 'cooler' should probably be called a moderator as it cools sometimes and heats at other times.

The radiators in these trucks don't utilize any portion to provide cooling for the automatic transmissions. They have a shell and tube heat exchanger mounted on the engine block instead. There is also another cooler mounted in front of the radiator that provides additional cooling.

 

[hammersley]

You are right...........

The radiators in these trucks don't utilize any portion to provide cooling for the automatic transmissions. They have a shell and tube heat exchanger mounted on the engine block instead. There is also another cooler mounted in front of the radiator that provides additional cooling.

I didn't know this... ... ... ... ... thanks,,,,,,,

 

[ecpeters]

A major part of your problem may be the Triple Lock Torque converter they are very tight and make a lot of heat in traffic I had a aux - trans cooler mounted up under the drivers side door facing up with a fan unit it works well. You need to remember that the heat exchanger will transfer the heat from the trans to the engine because it uses the engine coolant. Hope this information helps. I got my aux - cooler from Sun Coast in Fl.

 

[Lsfarm]

Actually overheating?

Hammersley, what are you experiencing in the way of overheating?? If you are seeing a coolant temp rise followed by the fan clutch engaging and the coolant temp stabilizing at a higher than normal temp, then this is normal and your cooling system is doing it's job.



If you are seeing coolant temps climbing to the top of temp gauge, and you are having to back off the throttle when towing to keep the temp out of the red, then you have some issues.



First and most important, remove the radiator, it takes only about 30 minutes, and look through it to make sure it is perfectly clean. Also check the intercooler and A/C condenser for bugs and other obstructions. Our cooling system will handle a lot of power and high towing weights at high ambient temperatures if clean.



The other possible problem is that the transmission isn't locking up and you are running in fluid drive and this is creating a lot of ATF heat that is transfered into the cooling system via the heat exchanger. If you are getting high coolant temps when towing at low speeds in 1st or 2nd, then the overheating is transmission ATF heating.



Give us some examples of what/when you are overheating and we can help you better.



Hope this helps, Greg L