Just received my Trans Cooler from CoolTech. Read the instructions and hope to install this weekend. From those that have already, any extra tips, tricks, or traps?
Transaxle cooler install?
- Thread starter funat50
- Start date
ViperJoe
GT Owner
When installing the transaxle cooler, it would be the right time to also modify the exhaust if that happens to be on your agenda.
Guys,
Thanks for your support in purchasing the CoolTech cooler. I really appreciate it! I took some time to write some very detailed instructions and if you read them through casually, I think the install should be very straightforward.
This is one add'l shortcut and I will make the update in the newer instructions....
You can skip the step to remove the shifter linkage ball joint. Literally skip this step and just remove and rotate the bracket with the shift cable still installed. I "dscovered" this after about the 9th install when I ran into a car where I just couldn't get the linkage to pop off. (It's sometimes hard even after the safety pin is removed.) Anyway, this will save you some time and mitigates the chance to drop small parts down onto the pan.
I hope this helps.
Thanks for your support in purchasing the CoolTech cooler. I really appreciate it! I took some time to write some very detailed instructions and if you read them through casually, I think the install should be very straightforward.
This is one add'l shortcut and I will make the update in the newer instructions....
You can skip the step to remove the shifter linkage ball joint. Literally skip this step and just remove and rotate the bracket with the shift cable still installed. I "dscovered" this after about the 9th install when I ran into a car where I just couldn't get the linkage to pop off. (It's sometimes hard even after the safety pin is removed.) Anyway, this will save you some time and mitigates the chance to drop small parts down onto the pan.
I hope this helps.
SteveA
GT Owner/B.O.D
I installed one and paid to have the other done. It was a piece of cake. I started at kick off Saints and Bears, stopped to watch many plays and was done before games end.
It's a great product with easy to follow instructions.
It's a great product with easy to follow instructions.
M
Mark O
Guest
fjpikul
GT Owner
Are you going to chnge the tranny fluid at the same time? You may want some of Analogs (jays) magnetic tranny plugs to replace stock.
Mark O,
do yourself a favor and compare the factory unit to the one Kendall sells...
A world of difference between the two in quality and price...
You will want the one Kendall sells.....
PHXGT
GT Owner
Make sure you connect the bottom hose to the cooler before you mount the cooler. Almost impossible to get a tight connection if you wait until after the cooler is mounted. Just follow instructions. They are clear and good.
snaproll
GT Owner
I don't know if it works or not yet, but this kit is really nicely done. Make sure you have a good set of AN wrenches available. If this kit's quality is any indication of the engineering found in the rest of the car, then life is good.
OCPETE
GT Owner
Indy GT
Yea, I got one...too
Transaxle cooler tips
Kendall, sorry I purchased and installed the Ford Racing cooler early in my FTG ownership. I am sure by your posts your cooler is very good indeed!
One tip which is equally applicable to both designs is, after transaxle (TA) cooler install with all lines attached and torqued, fire up the engine for 20 sec or so. This allows the TA internal oil pump to fill the out/in lines as well as the heat exchanger itself.
Removing the air filter box above the transaxle allows access to the transaxle fill plug (driver side upper plug). Remove the plug, put paper towels under transaxle fill plug on the rear diffuser lower belly pan, attach 2 feet of clear plastic tubing to a quart of Motorcraft FGT transaxle fluid and add about 7/8 quart makeup oil to transaxle. Fill to overfill. Neat and significantly easier than lower access to fill plug after dropping lower diffuser pan and all attachment screws.
Thanks as always for your technical insight!
Kendall, sorry I purchased and installed the Ford Racing cooler early in my FTG ownership. I am sure by your posts your cooler is very good indeed!
One tip which is equally applicable to both designs is, after transaxle (TA) cooler install with all lines attached and torqued, fire up the engine for 20 sec or so. This allows the TA internal oil pump to fill the out/in lines as well as the heat exchanger itself.
Removing the air filter box above the transaxle allows access to the transaxle fill plug (driver side upper plug). Remove the plug, put paper towels under transaxle fill plug on the rear diffuser lower belly pan, attach 2 feet of clear plastic tubing to a quart of Motorcraft FGT transaxle fluid and add about 7/8 quart makeup oil to transaxle. Fill to overfill. Neat and significantly easier than lower access to fill plug after dropping lower diffuser pan and all attachment screws.
Thanks as always for your technical insight!
Hey Indy,
One of the differences of the Transaxle Coolers is that I have a 12-page instruction sheet with a lot of illustrations compared to Ford's 1-page of text.
Since day one of my cooler sales, my instructions have included the details of how to add oil down one of the cooler lines before attaching it to the cooler.
The start-up step you mentioned is a good final check to insure no leaks, etc. Note: The clutch must be out for the internal transaxle pump to run.
One of the differences of the Transaxle Coolers is that I have a 12-page instruction sheet with a lot of illustrations compared to Ford's 1-page of text.
Since day one of my cooler sales, my instructions have included the details of how to add oil down one of the cooler lines before attaching it to the cooler.
The start-up step you mentioned is a good final check to insure no leaks, etc. Note: The clutch must be out for the internal transaxle pump to run.
snaproll
GT Owner
Not only is the above a fact, but the kit even supplies the allen wrench to install the line stays. Kendall, if you only put the line wrenches in there I think I could've done it in a couple hours! I'm more of a "form follows function" person, but I've never been so impressed with black anodized fittings and an oil cooler :biggrin The optional black hardware and the design of the kit make it look completely stock and purposeful. One of life's little pleasures . . .
Indy GT
Yea, I got one...too
Oil Cooler
Kendall, as I commented, I installed my Ford cooler on my car essentially when I purchased the GT. The cooler was backordered for Months and I was quite disappointed with the one page install sheet which was a joke.
Thankfully the Forum participants posted some install pictures of what it looked like installed and once oriented it wasn't that difficult. Was ticked that Ford packaged one incorrect AN fitting which would not screw into the transaxle oil port and then could not understand what I was talking about when I called to tell them about the package error. Their comment was "all our kits here in stock have the right fittings....." Yea but mine doesn't. They finally overnited me the correct fitting and I could get the car back in operation.
The engineers at Ford told be about the transaxle makeup fluid and said they had used the bottom up approach (filling from beneath the car).
If your instructions already include the top-off instructions great. You have done a much better job than Ford. Sorry I didn't push off on that purchase and learn of your cooler before purchasing the Ford unit.
Keep those products coming....
Kendall, as I commented, I installed my Ford cooler on my car essentially when I purchased the GT. The cooler was backordered for Months and I was quite disappointed with the one page install sheet which was a joke.
Thankfully the Forum participants posted some install pictures of what it looked like installed and once oriented it wasn't that difficult. Was ticked that Ford packaged one incorrect AN fitting which would not screw into the transaxle oil port and then could not understand what I was talking about when I called to tell them about the package error. Their comment was "all our kits here in stock have the right fittings....." Yea but mine doesn't. They finally overnited me the correct fitting and I could get the car back in operation.
The engineers at Ford told be about the transaxle makeup fluid and said they had used the bottom up approach (filling from beneath the car).
If your instructions already include the top-off instructions great. You have done a much better job than Ford. Sorry I didn't push off on that purchase and learn of your cooler before purchasing the Ford unit.
Keep those products coming....
timcantwell
Le Mans 2010 Sponsor * Moderator
I've installed two already, quite easy really. I was one of the early customers, and passed my advise to Kendall, which he used to update the install manual. You should have NO TROUBLE at all if you follow his guide.