5.0 Trans Fluid Flow Direction Through Radiator

[mounty71]

Just wondering what direction the transmission fluid flows through the radiator, from top down or bottom up? The reason I ask is because I've had to cut and trim all of the stock hard lines on my car, and now that I'm running new lines and a different auxiliary cooler I want to be sure I hook them back up correctly.

Also while I'm on this topic, I've been reading that having both ports of a tranny cooler pointing down isn't recommended because air can easily get trapped in the cooler. Makes sense to me, so I'm wondering why the stock cooler is mounted this way. I think I'm going to try installing my new cooler with the ports up.

 

[mounty71]

Bump, if someone could even just trace one of the hard lines from the transmission to where it goes into the radiator, that's all I need to know.

 

[traveler]

I believe the fluid goes into the top fitting on the radiator and out the bottom fitting.

 

[boominXplorer]

I believe the fluid goes into the top fitting on the radiator and out the bottom fitting.

I am near positive this is correct.

 

[CDW6212R]

I am near positive this is correct.

Me too, I believe the bottom port on the trans is the output.


If you want super cooling, bypass the radiator and mount a tall Super Duty trans cooler. BTW, it won't fit without cutting part of the center support under the hood latch.

 

[boominXplorer]

If your talking a 6.0 superduty trans cooler I have one of those coolers in my shop, it's about the same size as the explorer condenser!

 

[traveler]

I used an F350 V10 cooler. Don't know if that's the 6.0 or not. Didn't have to cut anything, it mounted right behind the bumper. I did a mini-writeup on it in my thread "My first explorer".

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums...t-explorer-2000-eb.363053/page-5#post-3629634

I'm actually in the garage now waiting for the paint to dry on a sheet metal "diverter" to ensure more air from the vents in the bumper go to the cooler. I've been wondering if it's enough cooler to run solo without the radiator heat exchanger. Moving to AZ so don't anticipate needing the heat exchanger to help with warmup!

 

[boominXplorer]

Here's a 6.0 cooler. It makes that 5 gal bucket look small.

 

[mounty71]

Thanks guys. That's what I thought was correct but started to doubt myself the more I looked at my hard line remnants. Traveler, since you're in the garage now do you mind actually checking and confirming since everyone said they just "think" that's correct?

So any thoughts as to why Ford mounted the coolers ports down? And I'm using a Tru-Cool cooler intended for a tow vehicle that I've seen good results from for others. Something like a 40,000 GVW rating. It fits really well with only minor modifications to the core supports and it was pretty affordable. I didn't want to bypass the radiator just yet since it also helps to warm the fluid in cold weather. If this new cooler isn't enough still then maybe I'll try that.

 

[imp]

@mounty71 @CDW6212R
I think the concern is for the radiator end, but at the transmission: (This for Gen 3, 5R55E and N likely same, FWIW). imp

 

[CDW6212R]

Cool, you both posted pictures of the two Super Duty coolers I have. I bought two from eBay, not knowing how big they would be in person. The shorter one will fit without modifying the front much at all. That tall one is huge, as boomin said about the same as the AC condenser. I'm hoping I can move the condenser out enough to make room for the trans cooler to go behind it.

BTW, last year I bought an oil adapter with a thermostatic switch in it, made for engine oil to divert above 180 to a cooler. I also got a 145* marine thermostat, intending to swap the pill inside, into the oil cooler adapter. The only rub was that there is a locking cap to remove, to get to the internal "pill." That cap is very thin and tight enough that a wrench won't get ahold of it. I rounded one edge and stopped until I find a better tool. I think with a switched adapter, ATF can bypass the cooler to heat up quickly, and then the 145* thermostat pill will keep the ATF in the 140* range. Then the radiator isn't needed.

 

[imp]

@CDW6212R "I'm hoping I can move the condenser out enough to make room for the trans cooler to go behind it."
Keep in mind that the juice in the condenser may actually be hotter much of the time than the transmission fluid. A matter of which of the 3 heat exchangers ought to receive ambient air first. If I had my druthers, the three would sit side by side, not back to back! imp

 

[CDW6212R]

True no doubt. I want the condenser in front as much as possible, and the trans cooler lower as space allows. The intercooler will go in front and as low as possible. I figured I would install the two ATF coolers on different trucks, and see if and how much they affect coolant temps, and AC if I try one in front of the condenser. We are very lucky to have so much frontal area to work with.

 

[traveler]

Here's a 6.0 cooler. It makes that 5 gal bucket look small.

View attachment 97571

Wow.... that is one big tranny cooler! I can see why it would take some cutting to make it fit. I mounted mine right behind the bumper and it fit very nicely. And it is at least twice the size of the little cooler that the Ford factory put on the "trailer package" Explorer.

Mounty 71, this is a quote from my Ford Service Manual. It is part of the "Fluid Cooler Flow Test". It is what let me know which way the Transmission fluid flows...

"4. Remove the cooler return line (top fitting) from the fitting on the transmission case."

So look at the lines going into and out of your transmission. The one on the top is bringing cooled fluid TO the transmission, the one on the bottom is taking hot fluid TO the cooler.

 

[imp]

True no doubt. I want the condenser in front as much as possible, and the trans cooler lower as space allows. The intercooler will go in front and as low as possible. I figured I would install the two ATF coolers on different trucks, and see if and how much they affect coolant temps, and AC if I try one in front of the condenser. We are very lucky to have so much frontal area to work with.

@CDW6212R I view your technical "smarts" with envy, and often wonder while perusing forums how many poor guys having good intentions but lacking the experience or background to proceed, as faceless "experts" lead them into unknown territory, are led astray, possibly very expensively.

You obviously know what yer doin'! imp

 

[CDW6212R]

@CDW6212R I view your technical "smarts" with envy, and often wonder while perusing forums how many poor guys having good intentions but lacking the experience or background to proceed, as faceless "experts" lead them into unknown territory, are led astray, possibly very expensively.

You obviously know what yer doin'! imp

Thanks, but knowing it and doing it are not the same thing with me. I keep forgetting what I had learned so many years ago. Like the Ranchero I bought in 1988 and swapped the interior from my 72 Gran Torino with it, leaving the Ranchero in pieces. I hope I can figure out that puzzle when it comes time, hopefully next Winter. Regards,