Re: '50 Ultramatic Trans Cooler Lines

Posted by HH56 On 2024/1/24 11:51:13

As years pass the water type coolers can get deposits over the heat exchanger surface and lose a bit of efficiency so IMO, adding an extra air cooler in series is not a bad thing. I do believe Joe is correct that if both are used, for best cooling the water cooler should be first in line so it could drop the temp a few degrees with the air cooler second and dropping a few more degrees before fluid is returned to the transmission.

I believe the cooling was adequate when new but not spectacular with the water system but with a water cooler fluid could never get lower than the water temperature. Since automatic transmissions have evolved and been farther refined I think it has been established that cooler temperatures (within reason) is better for any automatic transmission. I don't know if Ross does anything to the cooler circuit when he works on a transmission but believe he has advocated adding some air holes in the bellhousing to provide a bit of airflow thru that confined space for more cooling directly to the converter.

For the 50-54 regular Ultramatics the fluid path is slightly different than the late 54 gear start to 55-6 Twin Ultra layout shown above. I do not have any decent photos of the regular Ultras and cannot find any labeled drawings but believe the fluid out of the transmission is at the port on the left side and return is at the port on the rear of the case just above the pan. If Ross or someone else could review that theory and either confirm or correct the port assumption I would not object.

If you do go to an air only cooler be sure to get an adquately sized unit. Ultramatics do produce a lot of heat.