Can I stick an FL1A in my trans cooler line?

[MalcolmV8]

I was told that I can install a regular motorcraft FL1A filter in my trans cooler line and it will filter MUCH better than the regular filter inside the tranny. The guy that told me has done this for a while and says not only does it add oil capacity but does an excellent job of filtering. You could also run the FL-299 (two quart version of the FL1A).

Sure sounds like a good idea, and I'd love to do it. The inline tranny filter I got at Napa was almost $30. It would be much cheaper to just replace an FL1A each time. Any thoughts or comments before I dive in and do this?

Thanks
Malcolm

 

[dogfriend]

I ran one for several months, but removed it while troubleshooting a problem (turned out to be unrelated) and never got around to reinstalling it. I got the filter mounting kit from Summit Racing for about $25. You can run a FL1A or any other filter which fits the diameter and thread size. I used the smaller filter (FL-820 I think) because I didn't want it to hang too low.

There is a really long thread on this:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34136&highlight=trans+filter

 

[jimbo74]

it is fine....

 

[MalcolmV8]

Awesome, thanks for the link there guys. Another question pops to mind while re-routing all the hoses etc.

My transmission cooler lines run directly from the 4r70w to an aftermarket B&M cooler with integrated temp sensor (160 trigger point) and fan, and then back to the tranny. Should I also be using the transmission cooler option on the radiator? I live in KC where it gets cold in the winter (below 0 at times) and I was wondering if in the winter it helps bring the tranny fluid up to operating temp quicker? Or does the tranny do a pretty good job of heating the fluid on its own? I was told the 4r70w has it's own thermostat too but I'm not sure how true that is?

Is there some reason I should be using it or should I leave it just the way it is?

Thanks
Malcolm

 

[dogfriend]

When I had my aux cooler installed, I still used the radiator cooler in series with the extra cooler. The hot fluid went to the top of the radiator, out the bottom, to the extra filter, out of the filter to the extra cooler and then finally back to the trans.

I think the thermostat that you have is supposed to compensate for cold weather by bypassing the cooler until the fluid is warmed up (to 170) then allowing the fluid to pass thru the cooler when hot.

If your added cooler is big enough, you don't have to use both, but most people believe more is better.

 

[MONMIX]

I have that exact filter instaled right now.

 

[Hartman]

I have that exact filter instaled right now.

Me too.

 

[Lee S.]

Awesome, thanks for the link there guys. Another question pops to mind while re-routing all the hoses etc.

My transmission cooler lines run directly from the 4r70w to an aftermarket B&M cooler with integrated temp sensor (160 trigger point) and fan, and then back to the tranny. Should I also be using the transmission cooler option on the radiator?

In models where Ford installed an aux tranny cooler (like my 98) they plumbed it first to the tranny cooling part of the radiator and then to the aux cooler. Not sure if this helps but take a look at this thread:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=129514

If you scroll down to the last post Bronco638 gives a good explaination of the the heat transfer properties of the coolant in the radiator and the air cooled aux tranny cooler.

 

[dogfriend]

One thing that I didn't mention in my earlier post -

You may want to run the radiator cooler because it also helps to warm the engine coolent faster in cold weather. The heat rejected from the transmission goes into the engine coolent thru the radiator cooler.

I always had manual transmission trucks before the Explorer and I noticed how much faster the Explorer warms up compared to the manual transmission Ranger that I had before. This is better for heat in the winter and its better for the engine and the emissions output to spend as little time with a cold engine as possible.

 

[MalcolmV8]

Thanks for all the info guys. There are so many reasons for running/not running the tranny fluid through the radiator I think I'm going to stick with the safe method and run it through. After all Ford doesn't spend extra money and complication on radiators with integrated tranny coolers for nothing. I'm sure they have good reasons. Until I'm more educated on the subject I'm going to stick with the stock setup. Also I like the idea that the tranny fluid heats up the coolant in the winter at initial start up. When it's snowing out I could use all the heat I can get

So what thread is that on the radiator for the tranny cooler lines? It seems like I've seen the answer to that on this board before but I've been searching and can't find it. Is it something common like NPT or something else I can pickup at a local hardware store? I just want to get barb fittings and run some hydraulic hose up from my hard line to it.

Thanks
Malcolm

 

[IAmTodd]

got one on mine and run two aux. coolers.

 

[MalcolmV8]

So do you know what kind of thread is on the radiator where the transmission cooler connects?

Thanks
Malcolm

 

[dogfriend]

5/8 in inverted flare fitting. Check out Part No. 13025 on Dead Link Removed This kit will allow you to hook up to either the radiator or the hard line going back to the trans.

 

[MalcolmV8]

Thanks for that link. Those parts looked like regular hardware you can get at a local hardware store. So I loaded up my radiator into my Mustang and took it down to the hardware store. Sure enough it was a standard thread. 3/8" MPT.

Thanks
Malcolm