Best location for a automatic transmission cooler?

Post by **mrsnak** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 1:20 am

Putting my '61 back together. It came with a '73 Datsun B210 motor and automatic transmission.
Can't remember where the transmission cooler was put before, but I believe it sat in the grill cavity below the radiator. It did not seem to have been attached to anything.
I'm thinking of making some brackets and mounting it away from the radiator panel (to allow better cooling), but not put it higher, over the radiator. Usually these are placed in front of the radiator, to take advantage of the fan pulling air through.
The radiator cools well as is (commercial grade original core), but the summer inland here can get toasty (100º +).
Seemed to work well just resting in the cavity, but any thoughts as to a better location? I indicated in red where I was going to mount it.

Post by **PSL184** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 11:37 am

I would think it would be best where you have indicated. Most modern cars have them fitted in this location. It won't affect your rad cooling too much as there is loads of surface area left uncovered....

Post by **IslipMinor** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 12:08 pm

A bit higher if you want to retain the use of the starting handle? Otherwise it's the best position for it.

Post by **PSL184** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 12:15 pm

Assuming the dog is fitted to the Datsun engine ?

Post by **Innovator** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 1:13 pm

You need airflow through the cooler and not just at the cooler. In other words you must make sure the air that passes through the cooler can go somewhere and not just hit the base of the rad or a panel. The air must flow from high to low pressure.

I always put my coolers at the end of the rad, between the rad and inner wing or if I was getting completly obsessed with weight distribution would position it at the back of the engine bay where the exhaust goes out (other side to the exhaust obviuosly....) and duct air to it from the front grill.

Post by **IslipMinor** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 2:26 pm

Assuming the dog is fitted to the Datsun engine ?

Ooops!! Always helps to read ALL of the post before replying!

Post by **mrsnak** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 4:06 pm

Innovator wrote:You need airflow through the cooler and not just at the cooler. In other words you must make sure the air that passes through the cooler can go somewhere and not just hit the base of the rad or a panel. The air must flow from high to low pressure.

I always put my coolers at the end of the rad, between the rad and inner wing or if I was getting completly obsessed with weight distribution would position it at the back of the engine bay where the exhaust goes out (other side to the exhaust obviuosly....) and duct air to it from the front grill.

So you'd mount it inside, say on the left side, vertically, alongside the radiator? Seems to me the airflow at that location would be rather static, and you'd have engine heat to deal with.

The current location would take advantage of the fan pulling air through the grill, even if were mounted slightly lower. I was also planning on mounting it as far away from the rad mount surface as possible, to allow better airflow.

Post by **mrsnak** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 4:08 pm

IslipMinor wrote:
Assuming the dog is fitted to the Datsun engine ?
Ooops!! Always helps to read ALL of the post before replying!

No dogs here.
Never have seen a Datsun motor with a hand crank.

Didn't realize that what the hole was for! My Renault Caravelle has one, too.
I suppose I could weld one onto the crank pulley.

Post by **PSL184** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 4:48 pm

If your Datsun motor is essentially the one that they copied an A Series for then I guess you could use an A Series crank pulley with the dog already mounted....?

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 9:12 pm

Better higher up -in front of fins rather than blank panel - or as suggested vertically alongside the rad - and cut away the panel to get airflow, but no fan assist there.

Post by **mrsnak** » Thu Jan 01, 2009 1:20 am

How about this?

Easy to mount and main cooling not affected much.
So much of an easier solution. Cooler is too tall to mount upright.
This shows scale fairly well.
Unit will be spaced about an inch away from radiator. I made some brackets today.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Jan 01, 2009 12:08 pm

Slightly higher and more central!

Post by **mrsnak** » Thu Jan 01, 2009 3:33 pm

bmcecosse wrote:Slightly higher and more central!

Even covering more of the radiator? Remember that it's usually much warmer here than the UK.
Will raise an inch up and over. Need room for the brackets I made, too

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Jan 01, 2009 4:13 pm

Depends what capacity engine (yes -I know it's Datsun - but don't know cc) you are trying to cool with that standard rad - but it's plenty big for an A series. If struggling - fit a multiblade fan - ex Spridget or Marina is good.

Post by **mrsnak** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 12:37 am

bmcecosse wrote:Depends what capacity engine (yes -I know it's Datsun - but don't know cc) you are trying to cool with that standard rad - but it's plenty big for an A series. If struggling - fit a multiblade fan - ex Spridget or Marina is good.

Pretty sure its the '74 A13 motor. 1288cc (75HP)

Post by **mrsnak** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 12:34 am

Okay, here's the cooler installed:

Hope no problems with general cooling

There is about a 3/4" space between the two radiators.

Only annoying thing now is reinstalling the front grill assembly (currently put back together as one piece and ready to bolt on).
Everything would be easy except for that top chrome piece, which requires that the radiator be removed to get behind to secure with the 6 nuts that hold it in place.

I can get a 1/4 socket wrench behind there with the two top radiator bolts removed, and the upper rad portion swung back against the fan, but socket is too short and extension is too long. Arrgh...!