Author Topic: Radiator & Trans Cooling Lines - what's this?  (Read 596 times)

TA Dave

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Radiator & Trans Cooling Lines - what's this?
« on: March 01, 2024, 08:28:30 PM »
Good evening!  The TA is coming along, and I'm preparing to put in a new radiator, but I noticed this on my old rad - tubes coming out the front and running around to the back of the radiator.  These look like he transmission cooling lines, but then there are the large ports on the back side of the radiator, too, and the fittings for the trans cooling lines are right where the large ports are on the back side.

Can anyone tell me what is going on here, and will a new radiator come at least ready for this?
'79 403 Auto Frame Off in process.
The engine is in!  Now to hook it up!

aussieta

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Re: Radiator & Trans Cooling Lines - what's this?
« Reply #1 on: March 01, 2024, 09:53:52 PM »
i am going to guess power steer cooling and auto trans cooling
1978 Y84 W72 WS6
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roadking77

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Re: Radiator & Trans Cooling Lines - what's this?
« Reply #2 on: March 03, 2024, 03:40:25 PM »
What motor is this? Your sig. says Olds 350?  I have the ports on the motor side only of my radiator for transmission.
Finished!
77 T/A - I will Call this one DONE!
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79 TATA - Lost to Fire!
86 Grand Prix - Sold
85 T/A - Sold
85 Fiero - Sold
82 Firebird - Sold
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TA Dave

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Re: Radiator & Trans Cooling Lines - what's this?
« Reply #3 on: March 03, 2024, 05:08:44 PM »
Yes, as I have been redoing it, I am finding that this car really is a Frankenstein beast - Olds 350, rather than 403, TH350 with lockup converter case, but regular TH350 innards, and now this.

It is likely not how it came from the factory, but that is why I am asking.
'79 403 Auto Frame Off in process.
The engine is in!  Now to hook it up!

Wallington

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Re: Radiator & Trans Cooling Lines - what's this?
« Reply #4 on: March 04, 2024, 06:12:38 AM »
Probably not related here but some of the 350 Olds Diesels used in Motorhomes etc had a remote oil cooler option, extra plumbing to and from the oil filter adaptor. I think it was also a rare option for some of the Olds A bodies with towing option, I guess the auto lines may have already been plumbed on the engine side. Who knows. I haven't seen this type in a Firebird, regardless of engine etc. Not sure if there's any stamped codes etc on the radiator tab half way down. Very interesting. I always imagine the more things that are plumbed to a single radiator, the cooler they run, but also the harder it is to cool each of them combined!

Do you know what the 350 came out of originally? If not, the start of the engine number tells you year and where built which often equates to certain models. Could even have a peek at oil filter and see if standard adaptor with no plumbing, just in case pulled from same vehicle. Just ideas, still guessing.
« Last Edit: March 04, 2024, 06:20:26 AM by Wallington »

Re: Radiator & Trans Cooling Lines - what's this?
« Reply #4 on: March 04, 2024, 06:12:38 AM »

roadking77

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Re: Radiator & Trans Cooling Lines - what's this?
« Reply #5 on: March 04, 2024, 08:17:02 AM »
I asked an Olds friend of mine. He is pretty sure the outlets on the motor side are for oil cooling which would have been a rare option on the car. They should be a bit larger than the outlets on the front side which are for transmission cooling. I suppose if you are not using the oil cool function you could plug those two?
Finished!
77 T/A - I will Call this one DONE!
79 TATA 4sp-Next Project?
79 TATA - Lost to Fire!
86 Grand Prix - Sold
85 T/A - Sold
85 Fiero - Sold
82 Firebird - Sold
'38-CZ 250
'39-BSA Gold Star
'49-Triumph 350
'52-Ariel Red Hunter
'66-BSA Lightning
'01-HD RoadKing

firebirdparts

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Re: Radiator & Trans Cooling Lines - what's this?
« Reply #6 on: March 06, 2024, 02:42:40 PM »
I had a diesel Toronado and it had a set of coil cooler lines like that.  So I'd say that's an olds diesel rad out of 40-year-old something or other.

You don't have to plug them if you don't use them.
« Last Edit: March 06, 2024, 02:45:30 PM by firebirdparts »
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1977 Y82 4-speed (red interior)
1978 Skybird 350
1978 Redbird 305
1979 Redbird 301 4-speed
1992 Lincoln Mark VII LSC/SE (red)
1970 Datsun Pickup
1953 Chevy pickup (converted 4x4)
1988 T-bird Turbo Coupe

Wallington

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Re: Radiator & Trans Cooling Lines - what's this?
« Reply #7 on: March 06, 2024, 08:33:46 PM »
Are the front lines larger than the rear lines, or look to be the same? Have read those that used the engine oil coolers on the diesels used a larger line, perhaps 1/2", due to the thicker consistency than trans fluid.


firebirdparts

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Re: Radiator & Trans Cooling Lines - what's this?
« Reply #9 on: March 25, 2024, 01:27:10 PM »
Are the front lines larger than the rear lines, or look to be the same? Have read those that used the engine oil coolers on the diesels used a larger line, perhaps 1/2", due to the thicker consistency than trans fluid.

Mine was that way if I remember correctly.  1979 Toronado.  It's been 40 years, so I could be wrong.
I want to be like Paul Kenny when I grow up
Joe Bays
1977 Y82 4-speed (red interior)
1978 Skybird 350
1978 Redbird 305
1979 Redbird 301 4-speed
1992 Lincoln Mark VII LSC/SE (red)
1970 Datsun Pickup
1953 Chevy pickup (converted 4x4)
1988 T-bird Turbo Coupe

Re: Radiator & Trans Cooling Lines - what's this?
« Reply #9 on: March 25, 2024, 01:27:10 PM »
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