Hello, I picked up a Manual (not Electric)Trans Temp Guage and am not sure of the best place to put the Probe ? And when I get it in
what temps are normal and when is hot to hot ??
Thanks..
Clancy..... :
Trans is the Automatic O/D

 

If you're overfilling your trans like most guys, the fill plug hole would work. You could also take off the PTO cover and weld a pipe fitting to it, then drilling a hole for the probe. I wouldn't want to see the temps over 250 degrees F for mineral oil. With synthetic you could get away with 300 degrees F. Remember it's going to run coolest in 4th, since that's straight through.

 

dont know how you guys feel but i use regular hydraulic oil in my transmission. that stuffs good for some pretty hot temps and i cant hardly feel shifting in trans.

 

i have never really heard of a trans temp gauge in a manual...is this really something necessary? I dont do too much towing, the occasional car trailer with my demo station wagon is the most weight it gets....What do you think?

 

That's what I'm going to do,also I'm going to put a mag-hitec rearend cover on and watch the diff temp too.. Some of the big trucks I used to drive had trans and diff temp gages on them. I thought that was a good idea sence I pull a 5er..

 

Thank you all for the Input.. your help is muchly appreciated.
Clancy...

 

??? When did they start putting PTO covers on Automatics. I had to sign up when I seen someone asking where to install a temp. gage on a auto trans. and is told to weld a pipe fitting on the PTO cover. If where here to help one another lets get right. Thanks will be posting more info on my truck and thing at a later date if I don't get cut off for these remarks, well have to get back to work. JOHN

 

I'll 2nd that PTO ?????????????? ???

ramguy

 

Doh! I read the initial post quickly and thought he was asking where to put it in a manual trans. Thanks for the catch albertaram - I'm not too proud to admit I goofed. Hope I provided some entertainment. To answer the original question, most are installed in the pan. Usually there's a neat fitting in the kit that allows you to just drill a hole in the pan and screw everything together. Some guys have installed them in the outgoing cooler line using a tee fitting as well. That gives a more instantaneous reading, but it's going to read higher than the pan temp. I'd say no more than 225 in the pan or 250 in the line.

 

wannadiesel said ".....Remember it's going to run coolest in 4th, since that's straight through.
The OD (4th gear) ratio is ( I think ) .67:1, while 3rd gear is 1:1 ratio, or direct.
This results in lower temps under load when combined with correct RPM's. That is why the OD has a thermo switch to force out OD when it get hot, as it does, while under load.


The 1st Gen 727 and or the later A518 (727 w/OD) all run hotter thant the later 2nd Gen trannies. No lock up for us guys...

Temps are all about oil breakdown. The trans has a temp sensor in it that will force you out of OD and refuse to let you upshift into OD if the internal temp reaches .... wait for it......
275*F :P
Normal operating temp (as shown on the dipstick regarding checking fluid level) is 180*F.
Much below that is not the best thing even though "cooler is better" is usually a good thing. The fluid needs to be at or near that temp for a reason.
Temps taken from a sensor in the outlet line from the convertor to the primary oil cooler/heat exchanger will be noticably higher than when taken in the tranny pan.
I have run both. I found the outlet line to be a bit troublesome. It would loosen off or leak/weep oil almost all the time. I'd tighten it and then it would eventually leak OR it was so tight that the ferrel would collapse the tubing resulting in restricted oil flow. Neither are good.
I went with the sensor in the pan on the mag tech pan. It shows the oil temp as it enters the system/vb, etc.
To be honest, I now have my "T Fitting" welded into the outlet line and I'm going to change it back when I get some time.
I am interested in the outlet temps from the TC since it is the highest reading you'll get on the system. In fact I may run both pan and outlet line for comparison sake.
More gauges, more wires, more pods, good grief.....
If you go with the crossover line get it welded in place so it won't leak.
I would consider the normal "upper end" temp as around 220*F. At that level you are still in the "reasonable" range for trans oil/trans life expectancy. Above that it goes down hill fast due to oil breakdown.
Last, synthetic ATF has more friction modifiers in it. This makes for smoother shifts... by allowing some/more slippage.
Even though the snythetics are more resistant to hight temps, I use a more "aggressive" oil like Dexron type II or Ford "true type F".

Pastor Bob.
Our Lady Of Acceleration Church.

 

That's right, Bob, keep kickin' me while I'm down. I was talking about 4th on a manual. Geez, have a heart. :

 

That's alright wanadiesel. I forget people would actually use a two limbs to shift gears. You should see me when I get in my dads 5 speed.

 

Thank you for your Input folks.. you've been a lot of help..
Clancy...

 

No worries wannadiesel ;D I forgot that people still need to row thru life.... us auto guys can get some snooze time, have coffee, type things, and all sorts 'a things that you stick guys can't do...besides I need two hands to cover both eyes.... what were you thinking ;D

Pastor Bob.