Where does the Transmission Temperature Bung install? ---

[alwayscode390]

I was interested in placing a Transmission Temperature gauge in my 3rd pod.

Does the bung go on your transmission pan, or does it go somewhere else to pick up the temperature?

Thanks ---

 

[Throws]

Re: Where does the Transmission Temperature Bung install? ---

I was interested in placing a Transmission Temperature gauge in my 3rd pod.

Does the bung go on your transmission pan, or does it go somewhere else to pick up the temperature?

Thanks ---

I put mine on the remote filter I installed at the same time. A) It's got a bung already there, and B) more filtration isn't a bad thing.

Just make the filter the first stop for the fluid before you cool it and you'll be GTG. Derale and Summit are two of the most popular choices. Also a good time to add that AUX cooler.

-P

 

[13Pelle]

Re: Where does the Transmission Temperature Bung install? ---

Above the shift linkage on the drivers side is a plug, 1/8 NPT IIRC, which wirks perfect for th tempature sender.

 

[alwayscode390]

Re: Where does the Transmission Temperature Bung install? ---

Awesome, thanks guys.

I have a derale pan installed, and was hoping I wouldnt have to drop it for the install, its full of fresh fluid ---

 

[13Pelle]

Re: Where does the Transmission Temperature Bung install? ---

If you use the spot above the linkage you wont have to drop the pan or loose any fluid. IIRC it is the right size for most tempature probes, no bushings or anything needed.

 

[DaveP]

Re: Where does the Transmission Temperature Bung install? ---

Above the shift linkage on the drivers side is a plug, 1/8 NPT IIRC, which works perfect for the temperature sender.

It will give "an" indication, sure. But what the temperature is indicative of, who knows? It's a "dead-end" off the pump. There is no fluid flow past that point. It's probably a closer indication of the case temperature, than fluid temperature. Possibly 30º, 40º, or more below the fluid temp.

I disagree, Tony. I don't think that's a good recommendation for sensor placement.

 

[Quickstop [UK]]

Re: Where does the Transmission Temperature Bung install? ---

Have you got stock tranny lines? If you have the braided like RPM then you can get a 1/8 NPT port fitting and plumb it inline.

 

[13Pelle]

Re: Where does the Transmission Temperature Bung install? ---

It will give "an" indication, sure. But what the temperature is indicative of, who knows? It's a "dead-end" off the pump. There is no fluid flow past that point. It's probably a closer indication of the case temperature, than fluid temperature. Possibly 30º, 40º, or more below the fluid temp.

I disagree, Tony. I don't think that's a good recommendation for sensor placement.

I only suggested it as an option, not the only or even best place. There are many of people on here that I have seen with them in the spot above the shifter....this is the first I have seen a response saying it is a bad spot.

So where do you suggest the best place is to install one is Dave?

 

[RealFastV6]

For trans temp, in line before the cooler is better than any location in the pan according to traditional thinking.

Theres just too much fluid in the pan to get a useful reading that'll show you in real time what the trans is seeing - and even more so if you have a deep pan.

If you have braided lines already, the autometer manifold is fine.

 

[alwayscode390]

Re: Where does the Transmission Temperature Bung install? ---

Have you got stock tranny lines? If you have the braided like RPM then you can get a 1/8 NPT port fitting and plumb it inline.

I still have the stock tranny lines.

Should I upgrade? ---

 

[Throws]

Re: Where does the Transmission Temperature Bung install? ---

I still have the stock tranny lines.

Should I upgrade? ---

Meh, IMHO stock lines are fine. Braided lines allow greater control over placement of filters, coolers, and line placement. I don't see one as monumentally better than the other.

-P

 

[DaveP]

Re: Where does the Transmission Temperature Bung install? ---

So where do you suggest the best place is to install one is Dave?

This discussion has been going on for decades. I had an argument with Brian Hartman back in 99 on the old mailing list that lasted a month. Wore us both out. I was advocating an oil-pan installation, and he liked the outlet lines location.

With a pan location, the indication will be much more stable, and indicative of what's happening in the transmission, and whether the cooling system is keeping up with the heat-load being generated. To me, THIS is what the idea of a trans temp gauge is for: To tell whether the coolers are keeping up with the heat being generated. If the pan temp is rising, the coolers are falling behind. If the temp is fairly stable (usually within 10-15º of coolant temperature, if the radiator tank cooler is being utilized), then the coolers are adequate.

There is an operating condition that must be understood with an outlet line location: The cooler-line outlet temperature will change a LOT depending on whether the converter clutch is locked, or unlocked. The TCC Valve re-directs the oil flow to the cooler depending on whether it is locked, or unlocked. When locked, the flow is from the pan, and sent to the coolers. When Unlocked, the flow is from the converter-out directly to the coolers. Unlocked converter fluid can get VERY hot, but the rest of the transmission's temperatures rise much more slowly. Usually the conditions that are causing the unlocked operation cease to exist (it locks again) before the pan temp rises appreciably.

Once again. The pan temperature is much more stable. A reading taken from the sump oil which is about to be drawn into the transmission will be more indicative of the capacity of the coolers to keep the temperature at the "desired" temperature based on how much it actually rises when operating under conditions that cause temperature to rise.

Personally, I like the pan. So does GM. On their electronic controlled transmissions, the temp sensor is in the pan. This sensor is used to initiate several "Hot Mode" routines that will reduce transmission operating temperatures if the sump temp gets too hot. The 93 4L60e in my Blazer invokes Hot Mode at 306ºF. I bring this up as an exhibit as to what GM considers "hot".

I like pan location, and in-radiator coolers. That's my opinion, and :2cents: and I'm sticking to it.
Regards,
DaveP

 

[alwayscode390]

Re: Where does the Transmission Temperature Bung install? ---

If I go with a sensor installation on the pan ... will it fit in the drain plug location , or do I have to weld in a bung? ---

 

[Beavis]

Re: Where does the Transmission Temperature Bung install? ---

Weld a bung on the side, if you put it in the drain plug, it will hang very low and probably rip it out.

 

[alwayscode390]

Re: Where does the Transmission Temperature Bung install? ---

Damn, for some reason I thought the drain plug was on the side ... I forgot it was on the bottom!!! ---

 

[DaveP]

Re: Where does the Transmission Temperature Bung install? ---

I wonder how accurate the indication would be If you were to use a two-wire sensor (for grounding purposes) and put the sensor in one of the derale tubes and seal each end with RTV to block outside air?

I'll bet it would be very close. Certainly close enough to assess cooler efficiency.

 

[alwayscode390]

Re: Where does the Transmission Temperature Bung install? ---

Now there is some thinkin'.

I havent gotten the gauge ... just ordered it today , I am not sure what I am working with yet.

If that seems plausible with what I get, I may actually try that ---

 

[Captain Morgan]

Re: Where does the Transmission Temperature Bung install? ---

I've always had mine on the output line going to the transcooler. Have had good readings, the only time I recall seeing the needle go past normal operating temps was during long brake stalling getting ready to launch.

 

[BoostedSUV]

Re: Where does the Transmission Temperature Bung install? ---

Is it a cast aluminum pan or a steel pan? If its a cast pan just drill a hole and tap it 1/8 NPT.

 

[Michael]

Re: Where does the Transmission Temperature Bung install? ---

Here's another option:

Jobber price is $25.00. You can place it on the line to the cooler or back from the cooler to the transmission.

I had some online discussions with an engineer who designed the heavy duty diesel pickup transmissions at Ford, his opinion was that on all automatics we should be monitoring temperature of the return line back from the cooler. It would give earlier notification of cooling problems, and also let you monitor the cooling efficiency. One nice thing about this method of installing the sensor is you can swap it to either cooling line in about a minute.