jmccrack
05-02-2021, 10:45 PM
A few years ago I built a 34 Ford. 700R4 Tranny and a 383 Stroker. I installed a 15" duel pass finned tranny cooler. I use the car all the time and to this point have not had any problems withe the tranny over heating. For a daily driver anyone see any problems putting this on my truck with the same engine and tranny configuration?
The choice of torque converter is the most significant factor in how much heat the trans will generate. If you use a tight converter with a lock-up clutch it will not generate near as much heat as a loose converter and no lock-up clutch. I use a very loose converter in my Powerglide that requires a 125,000 BTU/hr cooler: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/der-65860 where a garden variety stock V-8 of that era rocking a 1800 RPM stall converter would not even require a cooler.
If you use the same combo that you had before and it worked then I see no reason why that wouldn't work in your FFR truck, but your converter manufacturer can tell you for sure. If you use a cooler, pick a stacked plate version as they are more efficient than those tube and fin types. And with the aftermarket lock-up controls we have now, there's no reason not to run a lock-up converter in a 700R4 in a street car.
Good luck with your build.