Hello everyone. 1970 SX convertible.I have had an external trans cooler on my car since the 80's when I used to tow with it. The towing is long since over but the cooler remains. I am about to add Vintage A/C to the car and I need to make a decision on the cooler. Do I really need it now that I am not towing? It is a turbo 400 trans and I have a 3 core radiator that has a factory trans cooler built into it. Thanks for your ideas.

 

it is always nice to have a cooler but my opinion is that you would be fine with the factory cooler. could you just put the cooler in front of the condenser?

 

Your TH 400 doesn't need the cooler since you aren't towing with the car. They are always nice to have though.

 

Why do you think A/C precludes the use of the trans cooler?

 

Thanks guys, I know I can still use the cooler, but the A/C maunufacturer does not want it in the air flow of the condenser. If I got rid of the cooler it would clean up the installation and get rid of something that was not original to the car, If it doesn't need it, I would just as soon not do anymore crafting to keep it. Thanks again for your advice. This is what I needed.

 

Well, it's your car, but heat is the enemy of any automatic trans. An aux cooler is a smart addition. The factory optional aux cooler mounted in front of the A/C condenser with no problems. Of course, if getting rid of "something that was not original to the car" is a consideration, doesn't that also apply to the Vintage Air unit?

 

Yeah I knew you would say that. I have never seen a factory auxilary cooler. Where did they mount and are they available as a repro anywhere? The vintage unit I am putting in is a MarkIV reproduction of the units that were in lot's of cars of the era as dealer installed. Not OE, but at least period correct for a non air car. I just can't take those hot humid days anymore without the ability to put the top up and get some relief. Got caught last year on the way to a cruise-in in 85 degrees and pouring rain. Whole family along and I was not the hero! Thanks for the note.

 

There's a repro of the Mark IV unit available? While I never considered it particularly attractive, you are correct in that it is period correct. Do they use the huge York compressor?

 

Hi Joe, Actually they do not use the huge York compressor. The unit is period correct inside the car, but updated to todays vintage air stuff under the hood. I am in the business and have been working with Vintage on the best way to do mine and we have decided that I am going to use all period correct stuff under the hood(A6 compressor) and then their liscensed,correct MarkVI unit in the car. It is a compromise, but I have got my head around the concept. In the car it will look period correct, and under the hood it will look sort of period correct. I have strugled with the A/C thing for 20 years with this car and now have finally found something I am comfortable with. It is a DRIVER so I can't make myself crazy over it.
The Vintage MarkIV unit is very well done. All metal and chrome plated just like the originals.