Transmission Temp & Vacuum gauge install

Can't go anywhere without a working drivetrain
EdwardM
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Re: Transmission Temp & Vacuum gauge install

Post by EdwardM »

Just got a chance to look under the van. I found the hoses coming out of the transmission, but they are metal all the way until the radiator. Which makes it a little more complicated for me. In the videos online there are always junctions with rubber hoses where the extra cooler can be inserted, not the case with our vans though! I will give it a little more thought, I may have to get a mechanic to do the install, as cutting the metal pipes is something I'm reluctant to do myself. Unless anyone knows something I've missed?

Thanks again,

Edd.

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Choptop
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Re: Transmission Temp & Vacuum gauge install

Post by Choptop »

I am sure that someone else w/more experience will chime in but if that is what I run into when I decide to swap out my 27 year old trans cooler I would cut the lines w/one of those little tubing cutters, get some good hose and clamps and tighten everything up and check for leaks, Now if things have changed since I did my last one and you can connect w/hard lines, I would do that.
EdwardM
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Re: Transmission Temp & Vacuum gauge install

Post by EdwardM »

Hi choptop,

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to wait before doing anything to the van. We're in Guadalajara at the moment, and there's still a lot of Mexico to go, so there's time to buy a cooler at Autozone if needed. We've crossed the highest mountain range in Mexico, that along with the hot weather made for some long days of driving, hopefully that's behind us now. If we do the install I'll probably get a mechanic to do it anyway, I'll be sure to post the pictures if so.

Edd.

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mountaindent
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Re: Transmission Temp & Vacuum gauge install

Post by mountaindent »

usachris wrote:
EdwardM wrote:Hi Kentuckian,

I had one more question for you, I didn't know if this thread was the best place...

Hi Ed!

Installing a transmission cooler is a very straightforward install. There is a ton of information online that can help you make the decision. AutoZone online is a great place to find the kit you need to install — just enter the specifics of your vehicle. It seems like you can find help to do the install relatively easy where you are currently traveling. I installed a transmission oil cooler shortly after installing the trans temp gauge as a preventative measure. A great bonus is it will help your transmission last longer by removing excessive heat. Most kits are not very expensive and the install can be performed in a few hours. I highly recommend you install one on your rig.

My wife and I are really enjoying your and Melissa’s blog - Great writing and awesome pictures!

http://estimate.myautomatictransmission ... tallation/



I was advised at the transmission place to think about getting a cooler for the transmission outside where it was located in the truck as a preventive measure. Where it is located should there be a problem the entire transmission system could fail(something about fluid would turn into transmission jelly-like mess? Is that the reason others have added a new cooler as a preventive because it does not enhance cooling the transmission does it?

http://www.autozone.com

Generic install video: https://youtu.be/M12MY0SaKpY
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mountaindent
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Re: Transmission Temp & Vacuum gauge install

Post by mountaindent »

EdwardM wrote:Just got a chance to look under the van. I found the hoses coming out of the transmission, but they are metal all the way until the radiator. Which makes it a little more complicated for me. In the videos online there are always junctions with rubber hoses where the extra cooler can be inserted, not the case with our vans though! I will give it a little more thought, I may have to get a mechanic to do the install, as cutting the metal pipes is something I'm reluctant to do myself. Unless anyone knows something I've missed?

Thanks again,

Edd.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
When the transmission place replaced the transmission fluid lines on my B190 they had to "fabricate" out of new metal lines they contoured since Ford does not make those anymore. I was told that by two different places...Ford Truck dealership and a transmission specialist. I went with the transmission experts because they did fabrication of lines everyday they said. Ford dealership had one guy that did that type work and it could take weeks to get the truck back and transmission people ordered the piping and installed in two days.
EdwardM
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B190 Year: 1993
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Re: Transmission Temp & Vacuum gauge install

Post by EdwardM »

mountaindent wrote:
usachris wrote:
EdwardM wrote:Hi Kentuckian,

I had one more question for you, I didn't know if this thread was the best place...

Hi Ed!

Installing a transmission cooler is a very straightforward install. There is a ton of information online that can help you make the decision. AutoZone online is a great place to find the kit you need to install — just enter the specifics of your vehicle. It seems like you can find help to do the install relatively easy where you are currently traveling. I installed a transmission oil cooler shortly after installing the trans temp gauge as a preventative measure. A great bonus is it will help your transmission last longer by removing excessive heat. Most kits are not very expensive and the install can be performed in a few hours. I highly recommend you install one on your rig.

My wife and I are really enjoying your and Melissa’s blog - Great writing and awesome pictures!

http://estimate.myautomatictransmission ... tallation/



I was advised at the transmission place to think about getting a cooler for the transmission outside where it was located in the truck as a preventive measure. Where it is located should there be a problem the entire transmission system could fail(something about fluid would turn into transmission jelly-like mess? Is that the reason others have added a new cooler as a preventive because it does not enhance cooling the transmission does it?

http://www.autozone.com

Generic install video: https://youtu.be/M12MY0SaKpY
Well I finally bit the bullet and installed an aftermarket transmission cooler. It was really straightforward and a lot easier than I thought. I bought a kit from Autozone, and I ended up using an extra brass flare fitting from ACE hardware. I followed the instructions and only needed to undo one bolt on a line, then use their adapters (in this case I substituted the brass flare fitting) and connect their hoses, then mount. I've run the engine, added a little ATF, and no leaks. I might end up remounting the cooler with some metal braces instead of the included plastic ties.

I'll compare what the temperature is like when we next hit some mountains.
Thanks for the advice, I just needed some confidence to give it a try.

Edd.

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Choptop
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Re: Transmission Temp & Vacuum gauge install

Post by Choptop »

Congrats on the install, yet another project for the B, will be looking forward to your follow-up on the install.
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Kentuckian
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Re: Transmission Temp & Vacuum gauge install

Post by Kentuckian »

Way to go Ed! I'm glad that the installation went smoothly for you. I really hope that eliminates the overheating issue that you've been fighting in the mountains! Do let us know how it works for you and again... way to go!
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usachris
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Re: Transmission Temp & Vacuum gauge install

Post by usachris »

A bit late but I wanted to post the success I had installing the transmission temp and vacuum gauges and transmission cooler. The guages went in with no troubles. The information in this thread made it possible for me to even attempt this:
New guages installed on windshield pillar
New guages installed on windshield pillar
495268B7-CCCF-4D54-8949-9C6A603B3883.jpeg (2.02 MiB) Viewed 11800 times
The transmission cooler I installed was this unit:
The perfect transmission cooler for my ‘99
The perfect transmission cooler for my ‘99
346837B2-9C8F-4199-806B-D5001C124D23.png (404.62 KiB) Viewed 11800 times
A bit hard to see but here it is installed and boy, it worked great as I drove across the USA this past Summer. Temps hovered around 150 degrees for most of the trip and spiked to a high of 210 degrees while driving through the southwest. Considering the outside air temp was 110 degrees and we had the AC on full blast, all while flat towing a Ford Fiesta, the transmission stayed remarkably cool:
Transmission cooler is installed in front of existing radiator.
Transmission cooler is installed in front of existing radiator.
DB757D4A-D872-4730-A52C-FD44AFE3392D.jpeg (1.6 MiB) Viewed 11800 times
Christopher Salazar
1999 B190 #301352
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Kentuckian
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Re: Transmission Temp & Vacuum gauge install

Post by Kentuckian »

Looking good, Chris!
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usachris
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Re: Transmission Temp & Vacuum gauge install

Post by usachris »

I gotta’ start taking more pics of the process. Most of the time when I get started on a project I just forget about documenting the process. :(

Although I did find a shot my wife took of me wiring up the gauges. Boy am I glad everything worked the first time out :wink:
Wiring up the guages.
Wiring up the guages.
88BE3109-A334-4505-ACEA-602AA047C15E.jpeg (775.14 KiB) Viewed 11796 times
Here is a shot of the tap into the vacuum line for the vacuum guage:
Tapping in the vacuum gauge into the mighty V10!
Tapping in the vacuum gauge into the mighty V10!
F4A53D33-8C15-4350-B6E3-3F77DB86CD6C.jpeg (788.46 KiB) Viewed 11796 times
Christopher Salazar
1999 B190 #301352
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