AT Radiator Question

[ksshane]

I swear the more I work on my truck the more I figure out just how bad the PO Frankenstiened it out.

Last weekend I flushed the radiator and was doing some other tinkering under the hood when I noticed my radiator has Automatic transmission ports on it, but of course instead of plugging the ports the PO just cut the lines about 4 inches away from the ports with bolt cutters or something and left them.

My truck is a 4 spd manual with the granny first gear (and as far as I can tell it is the original trans... Atleast the SPID calls out for the 4sp).

I keep kicking around the idea of installing a 700r4 or th350 in it. Is there anything I can do to check and see if the raidiator is still good as far as hooking up an automatic to it? I cant imagin it would be bad, but thought I should ask.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by ksshane

Last weekend I flushed the radiator and was doing some other tinkering under the hood when I noticed my radiator has Automatic transmission ports on it, but of course instead of plugging the ports the PO just cut the lines about 4 inches away from the ports with bolt cutters or something and left them.

You just now noticed this?

(lol)

It should be fine. I'd flush some ATF through there to clean it out, maybe put some pressure on it to do a psuedo leak test. But there's no reason to think it shouldn't be fine when the time comes to install your automatic. Put some nice plugs in there if you are offended with the appearance.

By the way, on occasion the factory will release an AT radiator on manual trans applications to keep from proliferating radiator assemblies and carrying additional part numbers.

My '65 GTO is that way and I recall GM Full Size Truck doing that as well.

K

[ksshane]

You just now noticed this?

I noticed it, but wasnt 100% sure what it was. Believe me.. there is no telling what the PO did to this truck. He had a 4X6 half inch piece of plywood screwed to the side of the radiator support for some reason and the screws where 3 to 4 inches long themselves, so there was few inches of screw sticking out the back side of the radiator support.
He used old shirts to fill in rusted out holes in the fenders and then painted over them with primer. Wires are hanging everywhere not connected to anything... just wrapped around things to keep them from hanging down. There are a few wrapped around my heater hoses, and one around my power steering assy.

So seeing a couple of hoses cut by bolt cutters didnt really set off any red flags...lol

[mrein3]

Originally Posted by ksshane

snip

I keep kicking around the idea of installing a 700r4 or th350 in it. Is there anything I can do to check and see if the raidiator is still good as far as hooking up an automatic to it? I cant imagin it would be bad, but thought I should ask.

I had my 3-speed manual truck for about ten years with an automatic radiator with unplugged radiator ports. NAPA sold me a can of something to clean and flush the tranny tank. I used the flush, hooked up the th350, and never looked back.

If coolant isn't leaking out of those ports, you should be good to go after you clean it out. I'd be a lot more comfortable with those stubs your PO left on there verses the completely unguarded tank I started with.

[ksshane]

Good to know... thanks for the feedback. Cant really complain... Saves me the cost of buying one later.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by ksshane

I noticed it, but wasnt 100% sure what it was. Believe me.. there is no telling what the PO did to this truck. He had a 4X6 half inch piece of plywood screwed to the side of the radiator support for some reason and the screws where 3 to 4 inches long themselves, so there was few inches of screw sticking out the back side of the radiator support.
He used old shirts to fill in rusted out holes in the fenders and then painted over them with primer. Wires are hanging everywhere not connected to anything... just wrapped around things to keep them from hanging down. There are a few wrapped around my heater hoses, and one around my power steering assy.

So seeing a couple of hoses cut by bolt cutters didnt really set off any red flags...lol

In your defense....sounds like there was a lot going on with this one....

(lol)

[SparkyRnD]

trans flush is the best way to clean it out