350 SBC in a 61 Buick. Currently no AC. Going to install a Classic Auto Air system. I've never done such an install before so a complete noob ! I have a custom radiator with 18" flex fan and no shroud. Will be adding a shroud TH350 Trans runs a transcooler, currently in front of radiator. I will be looking to get a large condenser, I can go as much as 25" wide and 18" deep to sit in from of entire radiator. My question is order...from grille backwards Should I go: Option 1 Transcooler then behind that condenser then behind that radiator OR Option 2 Condensor behind that trans cooler behind that radiator Note trans cooler only takes up about half over sq foot size of radiator and I will be going a decent sized (much larger) condenser. Thanks in advance for your advice.
What about option three? Trans cooler in the radiator? A shroud is a good idea, but have you considered the front of the cooling area? The air will flow around the coolers if the front of them is not blocked off.
I did a 57 Ford 312 auto and used option 2 and it worked fine for years. I also installed a pusher fan in front of the condenser so the a/c would cool better in the hot Florida summers while sitting in traffic. I still kept my mechanical fan with a home built shroud. It just needed more circulation in city traffic. The engine never got hot , but the in cab temps would rise due to lack of air circulation. Installed a pusher fan with the switch hooked to the a/c control. After that it was nice and cold even in high 90 degree weather.
I would get a nice thick radiator from Champion with the transmission cooler/heater built in... The transmission should be around the same temperature as the engine.. It needs to be heated as well as cooled.. My transmission rebuilder told me this when he rebuilt my hydro. I noticed the older hydros didn't have any coolers.
they probably don't have a torque converter, just a fluid coupling? There is a difference in how much heat they generate.
If you want something to work best, put it in front, so it gets the coolest air. Now, you just have to figure out which is most important.
Putting the trans or P/S cooler in the radiator or A/C condenser is the approach auto manufacturers use to save money - it's just an added loop of tubing inside the unit. The tubing is subject to failure and can lead to ATF in the coolant (and the reverse). Mopar got it right by using a separate small radiator out front. In the event of failure, you'll have an ATF or P/S leak but you won't damage the P/S or trans. Also, it's cheaper and way easier to replace a small accessory radiator than the cooling system radiator or A/C condenser.
Not the best photo, but you may be able to see where the filler panel is below the condenser. This insures the air is pulled through the condenser and doesn't travel around it.
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