Well, I installed my Fluidyne aux. cooler today. What a trip! I did what the instructions said ie. start up engine, run for a few minutes, see which line was coolest= return line, etc.. Well, I wasn't sure which one was coolest!!(?) So, I went to the Ford dealer, and sneaked back to the service department and posed my question to a tranny mech.. He said "the return is the line closest to the bottom water line". It took a minute, but after I thought about the hot water returning to the radiator after the cooling the heads, and then trickling down through the radiator, wherein it is air cooled, then returning to the engine from the bottom of the radiator, it made sense. Same principal on the tranny.

Then, I talked to a service guy and he said "you can't put an aux. cooler in the 98's with the 4R70W tranny". Something about TOP sensors, and computer settings, and that I'd f%$# up the torque convertor, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. I said "what about the trucks with the tow packege". He says " they come with different sensors". So, now I'm thinking; ****! So, I go to my tranny shop. They say "BS, never heard of that, put it in". I trust them more than a service guy, so I put it in. Thing is, that service guy sounded like he knew what he was talking about.(?)

Unfortunately, the adapter that came with the cooler, didn't fit right. So, I had to use the existing fitting, and cut the steel hose. I tied it all together with clamps. Everything's tight- no leaks. I can't feel anything different in the shifts. My tranny guy told me if "I sensed something wrong, just take the cooler out".

Took about 4 hours. Plus, those little fins on the AC condensor and the radiator- they tear up the hands pretty good- sharp little fu*%ers. ;-(

So, that's my story (at least this chapter).

 

Dan Kvachuk....

You can buy short lines with flared ends that screw into the radiator so you don't have to cut the factory lines. There is a lot of pressure in those lines so if you cut your factory line be sure to flare the ends where you cut them so the hose and clamp doesn't slip off the end of the steel line.

 

Sport2000,

The problem with the fitting was it is very deep. It's about an inch long, and about 3/8" before the threads begin. I couldn't find an adapter at NAPA. I've found through past experience plumbing brakes lines- if they don't have it, it'll be a bitch to find it. So, I did use the factory lines. Tranny guys told me there isn't a huge amount of pressure in those lines (14-18 psi). Obviously, a flare would be preferable, but I went without one. I was able to feed the hose on pretty good, then clamped it down real tight. I'll keep a close eye on the lines. Thanks for the input!

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What does the guy who dies with the most toys really win?

 

sport2000,

Wonderfull if you would be willing to do that I will be eternaly in your debt. If you will send me your email address to mine I will email you the Fax number. Probably best to keep it offline as it is at work and I don't need to publish it to all if you know what I mean. TIA

cphilip@innova.net.