Aux trans heat exchanger removal

Rollin Coal

Rollin Coal

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Oct 25, 2008
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what do you guys do with the coolant lines when you remove the transmission heat exchanger on the side of the block? can they just be plugged off at the block or do they have to be connected?

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The lines on my '96 were plugged by the previous owner when I got it. They look like big pipe plugs.

Are you going to get rid of the heat exhanger and run a remote mounted fan/cooler?
 
im swapping a nv4500 in.

i didnt even know the 12v's had the heat exchanger.

i guess plugging it makes sense, just dont want to block an important coolant passages.
 
Replace the one in the block with a 1/2" NPT plug. If you're running a heater core, replace the other fitting with a 1/2" 90* elbow with a 1/2" hose barb on the other end. Otherwise, just plug that one too.
 
well i got a fitting with 2 outlets at the water pump (where the lower rad hose connects) one goes to the aux cooler, the other goes to the heater core. the other end of the heater core connects to the fittin in the head.

the other side of the aux cooler goes behind the altenator somewhere, i havent looked in a while, just looking at my pics.

is it ok to plug both of those fittings?
 
The one behind the alternator can be plugged with a 1/2" NPT plug.

The other fitting returns from the heater core and the transmission cooler. When you replace that fitting with a 90-degree 1/2" NPT to 1/2" hose barb fitting, you still have the heater core return.

If you don't want the heater core in the loop, you can just put a 1/2" pipe plug there and in the head.
 
What is used to cool the trans then, just the small trans cooler in the front of the radiator?
 
I would run an aux cooler and the front cooler if you remove the heat exchanger. Towing, drag racing or sled pulling are more than just the front cooler could handle.
 
I run a cooler with an electric fan and removed the complete stock system.
 
I was looking to remove my heat exchanger also. I ran across a very very cheap ford f250/f350 trans cooler, would this work?
 
the heat exchanger does nothing for cooling. it is to warm the trans faster in cold weather. hard to cool a 150* trans with a 190* coolant!
 
TURBOLVR said:
the heat exchanger does nothing for cooling. it is to warm the trans faster in cold weather. hard to cool a 150* trans with a 190* coolant!
Click to expand...

it does help. It's an " auxiliary cooler " but also helps to heat the fluid. Once it's to operating temp, the valve closes and only trans fluid is running through it and the fins help disburse the heat

If you go to the dealer and ask for one, it's know to them as a " torque converter cooler "

IMO, it is more trouble than it's worth. Mine is leaking and I know several others that have issues. I plan to remove mine and replace it with a electric fan cooled cooler.

Also, if it does have a problem, it's possible for the coolant and trans fluid to mix.... obviously not a good thing.
 
dmaxcrusher said:
Will it hurt the trans without the exchanger being on there to help heat it up?
Click to expand...

If you have a temp gauge or just be easy on it till it warms up youll be fine.
As far as it helping to cool, with most twins sets (even if they'll fit) the primary will heat soak the exchanger. I've been running for 2 years without it and dont miss it one bit.
 
I relocated the one on my 94 .
Moved it up front, just under the radiator.
Was installing all new tranny and coolant lines, so figured it was a good time to move it.
Future plans for twins.
The 94 heat exchanger has 2 pipe threaded lines on the bottom.
Circled in the pic below.

CoolerRelocation.jpg


Brad
 
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