Quote:
Originally Posted by 408F150
I haven't replaced the ATF pan in my F150, but I did do so in my 1970 Dodge Charger (440 Six Pack) and noticed a large drop in TFT. There were 2 reasons for this that I can think of:
-More capacity= more surface area of the pan= more heat dissipation
-Switching from a Steel to an Aluminum pan changed the heat transfer rate with the external air
But, I still agree that buying a nice ATF cooler that's similar to a V10 SD and bolting on a couple 6" fans for low speed towing is going to beat a deeper pan any day.
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Agree 100%. And I think some people MAY have misunderstood my post about reducing TFT. I still think it will help things run cooler if the volume of transmission fluid is increased. The transmission fluid is a "heat sink", and any time you put a larger heat sink into a heat producing device, it runs somewhat cooler. Part of the reason it should is that a lower percentage of the cooler reservoir contents is being circulated into the heat producing area. So, that fluid is cooler to start with - then its heat is dissipated into the reservoir when it returns. And, higher volume means higher surface area to dissipate excess heat (as 408F150 pointed out). You don't really need fins for this (but they would help).
As an experiment, you can try running your engine about 2 qts low on oil and see what happens to the engine temperature. Don't let it get so low that the oil pump is sucking air, but let it drop. The engine temps (CHT and ECT) will increase. (I learned this little gem of information back in the 70's, on a trip!) The excess oil is cooling things off and I'd be willing to bet that excess transmission fluid will do the same.
Is a transmission cooler better? Sure. Are both better? Double sure.
- Jack