The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline External trans cooler.

I've just purchased an external trans fluid cooler for my TH350.

Is it neccessary to bleed/purge the lines/cooler or do I just fill the trans and let it sort itself out?

Advice please......

Just crank it up and drive- - - -the cooler is on the same circuit as lubrication pressure to the trans, so it's self-purging. Check the fluid level once it's warm- - -you might need to add a small amount to bring it back up to "full", but don't overfill the trans. The fluid grows quite a bit as it heats up.
Jerry

Thanks Jerry,You'll have to excuse my ignorance but this is the first auto trans I've ever owned.
I do have a trans manual,but it didn't cover this subject.

I had it running today,got everything up to temperature,checked and topped up the ATF.
After a short while the cooler and lines warmed up,so I took the truck out for a small scoot along my street.
The trans did everything I expected so looks like i'm good to go!
I just need to tweak the column shifter a little.

Another thing off the check list......

Sounds good, Jock! Does your radiator have a built-in transmission cooler? If so, the decision needs to be made whether to install the auxiliary cooler before or after the fluid goes through the radiator. Since the radiator-mounted "cooler" can't drop the trans fluid temperature lower than that of the engine coolant, some people say the extra cooling gained by installing the added unit in the return line between the radiator and the trans is the way to go, while others claim the fluid can be over-cooled in the wintertime that way, and insist the auxiliary needs to go in the supply line to the radiator.

I've got another take on the whole discussion- - - -with a couple of ball valves and a bypass line, it's possible to include or isolate the extra cooling capacity as needed. In the summertime, or when the vehicle is towing a trailer, route the fluid through the extra cooler downstream from the radiator. In freezing weather or below, isolate the extra cooler so the engine can "heat" the fluid and evaporate any moisture that might condense inside the transmission case!
Jerry

No built in radiator cooler Jerry,just the external.

I have no plans to use it for towing unless someone 'gives' me an Airstream caravan(unlikely.....)
It'll be mostly cruising and some freeway driving and maybe the occasional burn out... !

As far as the colder weather's concerned,it rarely gets down lower than the mid-20s.I wouldn't mind driving it then(it has a heater) but the amount of salt they throw down here is scary.
The truck would dissolve before the engine and trans got up to optimum temp!

Thanks for the extra info.