I am going to add a trans cooler to the 76 as the C4 is heating up pretty bad and suspect that the stock radiator/trans cooler might be restricted or blocked. Either way It will be good insurance.
I plan on adding a plate cooler to the passenger side near the in/out ports on the trans near the frame rail. question I have is shoudl I add it to the return line or the send line? Anyone know what the fittings are? is anyone using barbed fittings or AN?
EDIT: is this correct? found this from Vipers post on CB.com
5/16" inv (1/2"-20) x -6
Aeroquip
#FCM2111
about $7ea
Transmission Cooler
- landshark
- Official CCB Member

- Posts: 3942
- Joined: Thu Oct 13, 2011 11:16 pm
Transmission Cooler
1976 Bronco "Green, Yellow, whatever", 1969 Bronco "Red", 1972 Bronco Stocker "Kind of Blue/Grayish"
- Viperwolf1
- Official CCB Member

- Posts: 1485
- Joined: Tue May 07, 2013 9:37 pm
Re: Transmission Cooler
Those fittings above adapt to the factory inverted flare fittings in the trans. WH has a set that will replace the factory fittings. It looks like they took a pipe thread and cut the taper out. http://www.wildhorses4x4.com/product/C4 ... ittingPAIR The thread in the C4 case is a straight (non-tapered) pipe thread. Use tapered pipe thread there and you'll crack the case.
I'm sure the stock cooler isn't completely blocked or you would have burnt up the trans pretty quickly. The return oil lubes the entire rear half of the transmission. Trans cooler should be on the cold side of the radiator. Some aftermarket reverse flow radiators don't do this and they are worthless. Higher coolant temps of EFI motors will cause the cooler to be less effective though.
There isn't a lot of airflow underneath so I would put the additional cooler in the return line. My thinking is the new cooler won't be real effective but it may drop the temps 10-20 degrees like that. On the hot side you can't drop temps much because the radiator cooler will bring them back up with the coolant temp.
I'm sure the stock cooler isn't completely blocked or you would have burnt up the trans pretty quickly. The return oil lubes the entire rear half of the transmission. Trans cooler should be on the cold side of the radiator. Some aftermarket reverse flow radiators don't do this and they are worthless. Higher coolant temps of EFI motors will cause the cooler to be less effective though.
There isn't a lot of airflow underneath so I would put the additional cooler in the return line. My thinking is the new cooler won't be real effective but it may drop the temps 10-20 degrees like that. On the hot side you can't drop temps much because the radiator cooler will bring them back up with the coolant temp.
- landshark
- Official CCB Member

- Posts: 3942
- Joined: Thu Oct 13, 2011 11:16 pm
Re: Transmission Cooler
Viperwolf1 wrote:Those fittings above adapt to the factory inverted flare fittings in the trans. WH has a set that will replace the factory fittings. It looks like they took a pipe thread and cut the taper out. http://www.wildhorses4x4.com/product/C4 ... ittingPAIR The thread in the C4 case is a straight (non-tapered) pipe thread. Use tapered pipe thread there and you'll crack the case.
I'm sure the stock cooler isn't completely blocked or you would have burnt up the trans pretty quickly. The return oil lubes the entire rear half of the transmission. Trans cooler should be on the cold side of the radiator. Some aftermarket reverse flow radiators don't do this and they are worthless. Higher coolant temps of EFI motors will cause the cooler to be less effective though.
There isn't a lot of airflow underneath so I would put the additional cooler in the return line. My thinking is the new cooler won't be real effective but it may drop the temps 10-20 degrees like that. On the hot side you can't drop temps much because the radiator cooler will bring them back up with the coolant temp.
ok, i picked up two fittings from a CB member that I think might work - i have to look at them again.
Makes sense to put it in the return line near the trans, I was going to add it in front of the radiator but dont' want to dork up the grill.. i like it nice and clean up there ;)
I will see what fittings i have and post up. thanks Phil.
1976 Bronco "Green, Yellow, whatever", 1969 Bronco "Red", 1972 Bronco Stocker "Kind of Blue/Grayish"
- ZOSO
- Moderator

- Posts: 3910
- Joined: Mon Nov 15, 2010 4:58 pm
Re: Transmission Cooler
I have 2 set's of those fittings too if you need a pair.
Rob
74 Ranger EFI351w, 4r70w, ARB 5.13 9in, ARB 5.13D44, and a bunch of other goodies. Best of all the family memories.
04 Mustang Cobra, KenneBell 2.2 feeding a lot of boost on E85. Tire shredding machine
New project: 77 Bronco Ranger, body work and more body work.
Very little left of a 72 durango tan explorer sport
74 Ranger EFI351w, 4r70w, ARB 5.13 9in, ARB 5.13D44, and a bunch of other goodies. Best of all the family memories.
04 Mustang Cobra, KenneBell 2.2 feeding a lot of boost on E85. Tire shredding machine
New project: 77 Bronco Ranger, body work and more body work.
Very little left of a 72 durango tan explorer sport
- ZOSO
- Moderator

- Posts: 3910
- Joined: Mon Nov 15, 2010 4:58 pm
Re: Transmission Cooler
Maybe just put a cooler with a fan under the truck and eliminate using the radiator.
Rob
74 Ranger EFI351w, 4r70w, ARB 5.13 9in, ARB 5.13D44, and a bunch of other goodies. Best of all the family memories.
04 Mustang Cobra, KenneBell 2.2 feeding a lot of boost on E85. Tire shredding machine
New project: 77 Bronco Ranger, body work and more body work.
Very little left of a 72 durango tan explorer sport
74 Ranger EFI351w, 4r70w, ARB 5.13 9in, ARB 5.13D44, and a bunch of other goodies. Best of all the family memories.
04 Mustang Cobra, KenneBell 2.2 feeding a lot of boost on E85. Tire shredding machine
New project: 77 Bronco Ranger, body work and more body work.
Very little left of a 72 durango tan explorer sport
- Viperwolf1
- Official CCB Member

- Posts: 1485
- Joined: Tue May 07, 2013 9:37 pm
Re: Transmission Cooler
ZOSO wrote:Maybe just put a cooler with a fan under the truck and eliminate using the radiator.
I like the idea of running both in case the fan motor quits.
- landshark
- Official CCB Member

- Posts: 3942
- Joined: Thu Oct 13, 2011 11:16 pm
Re: Transmission Cooler
I thought about the fan but honestly I don't want to add any wiring :)
1976 Bronco "Green, Yellow, whatever", 1969 Bronco "Red", 1972 Bronco Stocker "Kind of Blue/Grayish"
- ZOSO
- Moderator

- Posts: 3910
- Joined: Mon Nov 15, 2010 4:58 pm
Re: Transmission Cooler
Viperwolf1 wrote:ZOSO wrote:Maybe just put a cooler with a fan under the truck and eliminate using the radiator.
I like the idea of running both in case the fan motor quits.
Like mine. I need to order a new cooler this week. Got a few ideas and may change up my current set-up.
Rob
74 Ranger EFI351w, 4r70w, ARB 5.13 9in, ARB 5.13D44, and a bunch of other goodies. Best of all the family memories.
04 Mustang Cobra, KenneBell 2.2 feeding a lot of boost on E85. Tire shredding machine
New project: 77 Bronco Ranger, body work and more body work.
Very little left of a 72 durango tan explorer sport
74 Ranger EFI351w, 4r70w, ARB 5.13 9in, ARB 5.13D44, and a bunch of other goodies. Best of all the family memories.
04 Mustang Cobra, KenneBell 2.2 feeding a lot of boost on E85. Tire shredding machine
New project: 77 Bronco Ranger, body work and more body work.
Very little left of a 72 durango tan explorer sport
- trei75bronco
- Official CCB Member

- Posts: 837
- Joined: Wed Jan 26, 2011 9:55 pm
Re: Transmission Cooler
I've had terrible luck with two different coolers in front. Tube And plate style. Runs hot too. I'm going to remote mount a derale 13900 over the rear axle. I think the radiator heat soaks the coolers .02