Transmission Lines and Radiator Replacement questions

[Fordlover96]

Alright so I'm going to be replacing my radiator this weekend and I've been trying to look up if the transmission lines on the radiator need a special tool. Are they some special quick disconnect or can i just use a regular wrench? The search I've done has turned up both answers........oh and it's on 1993 ATX, btw. Thanks in advance!

 

[jmpSHO2nd]

Wrench.

 

[rubydist]

iirc, they have a quick disconnect at the trans from the factory, but at the radiator is a pair of fittings that a proper-sized wrench will handle.

 

[Fordlover96]

Thanks guys, you were correct. Now I only have small problem. The idle seems high now, after replacing the radiator. You think it has something to do with the fact that the car sat almost a day with no battery? Any tips would be great!

 

[msteiny]

Perhaps, you have erased the memory. Do an idle reset, and drive it for about ten miles.

 

[jmpSHO2nd]

You need to do the idle relearn procedure any time you disconnect the battery do xinh.

 

[msteiny]

Can I ask that when you replaced the radiator, did you replace the lines and remove the restrictive transmission thermostat?

 

[Fordlover96]

Can I ask that when you replaced the radiator, did you replace the lines and remove the restrictive transmission thermostat?

I did not. Honestly, I'm no mechanic so I didn't mess with anything but the radiator and engine thermostat. Lol

 

[msteiny]

Just wondering if you upgraded to bigger rubber hoses and an aftermarket thermostat. Better flow, better shifting, more cooling and just overall better utilization of the cooler in front of the radiator.

 

[Fordlover96]

So, are you talking about the actual trans cooler in the radiator or the one by itself mounted beneath it? Because from what I understand they both work together to keep the trans fluid cool.

 

[msteiny]

Well to me, living in ND the one in the radiator is a fluid warmer and the one in front of the radiator is the cooler. I removed all the stock plumbing that went to them. Replaced all the metal lines with 3/8 trans cooler lines and installed an aftermarket Derale 13011 tranny thermostat off Amazon. Now in order for the torque converter to lock up it needs to be at a certain temp, right. I plumbed the lines so that the transmission uses the heat from the radiator to warm the fluid, then at 180 degrees the Derale thermostat opens and allows fluid to flow through the front cooler. Alot of guys living in colder areas have to put something over the cooler in the winter so the torque converter will lock up and get better gas mileage. With this set up I no longer have to do that and my torque converter locks in -10 degrees. Also increasing flow and allowing for better shifts. You dont have to do this but to me it just made sense.