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Since so many people are so keen on keeping the stock auto transmission cooler I figured it was time to do some edumacation on them, starting here:

alamomotorsports.com/pmc/pmc_transmission_cooler.html

perma-cool.com/Catalog/Cat_page02.html

Trans Cooler Info


More Trans Info

We all know that the Ultramatic is not the most efficient transmission in the world, and can definitely benefit from added cooling. The stock "cooler" only heats the transmission fluid even more, and do not work efficiently!!!

Also, the chances of cross contamination between transmission fluid and antifreeze is extremely high in situations such as ours, which is using a 50+ year old cooler that has never been "reworked" (which you can't rebuild them that easily). You are inviting even more problems when this happens, to both your engine and your transmission. Take this info as you will.

None of those links included a place to purchase or at least give us a part number to search for...

Here's one for under 50 bucks... is it everything I need? Do I route the line to this and remove the original?

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Totally wrong kind. If you read the first link, it explains the difference between the round tube and fin style, and the flat tube and fin style, which is much more efficient. All you need to do is go to your local parts store and look for something like this:

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OR... If you're a cheap ba$tard like me, you find a modern A/C condenser from a smaller car and convert it to use as a trans cooler. Either way will work, and an A/C condenser will be plenty large for the job, and super efficient to boot. And yes, you bypass the original cooler, either by removing it completely, or leaving it in place and just not hooking up the trans lines to it. If you plan on driving your car over leaving it in the garage 90% of the time, I HIGHLY recommend doing this, it will extend the life of your trans considerably.

Doubt if I'll go digging in the junkyard for an AC condenser, I'll check the auto parts store for the B&M version you mentioned. Is there a part number, or size I should be looking for?

Just get the biggest one you can fit in front of your radiator.

I know it is probably on here somewhere but what is fluid capacity of TU with fluid change including draining TC?

Nominal capacity is 11 quarts. Start out with about 6 quarts, then run the engine briefly to fill the converter. Add another 5 quarts and then check the level as specified. Should be full or within a pint or less.

So, Eric, I'm guessing that the transmission has an internal pump to circulate the oil. Correct?

Also I think I found a transmission cooler I want to purchase - would this one be ideal?

B and M Automatic Transmission SuperCooler

Ultramatics have both a front and a rear pump.