Are there no MT radiators available? Doing some cooling system work and just found the flaw most older engines have... sharing the trans cooler with the coolant.

Been there, done that to the tune of a $2500 rebuild, with 60k on the previous rebuild. Learned from mistakes so it will get bypassed.

 

It's not actually a flaw, it helps the trans fluid inlet temp be the same at all times once it's warmed up. Transmissions hate temp fluxuations, and running cold is almost as bad as running hot. Even when there's an aux cooler, the rad cooler is last in line to regulate the fluid temp going back in. Without it, in the winter the trans fluid will never get warm enough.

But if you don't want to use it and can't find a manual trans rad, just plug the cooler holes on the rad.

 

Don't even need to plug the holes..... the trans cooler is sealed away from engine coolant. Nothing will leak out.

 

While it's true the trans cooler is sealed, plugging the holes would mean no leak will develop later if something happens to the thin metal coil inside. It's more of a precaution than a need.

 

I think I can count the number of times I have seen that happen on one hand, and those were do to the radiator being destroyed in a collision.

 

^^^This^^^.... the cooler also serves as a warmer to get the ATF up to temp. Not sure if you're thinking bypassing it will lower engine temp and it might, but at the expense of the tranny.

 

Thanks for all the input guys...

Yes, absolutely going to bypass it. Trans temps need to be between 160-180*, if I can find a deep pan for it, it will get one and will setup the cooling to keep it in that range. DC got away from putting them in some of their AT applications, the Jeep JK is one of them.

To make this Dak one I can have confidence in, all the weak spots need to be addressed for the long haul..

 

Thought this was gonna be your support truck till you fixed the Ram? Looks like you fell in love with it. Understandable.

 

There are thermostatically controlled bypass valves available out there in the world. Installing one that doesn't open till around 165 or so would help the trans warm up quicker.

 

It happens, I've seen it a time or two. Course, I'm just this side of being geezerized too. At any rate, plugging them guarantees it won't be an issue.