260z auto trans cooling necessary?

[kingofapes]

Early -74 260z with original auto trans and original type radiator with trans oil cooling line attached at the bottom. My engine fan viscous clutch went and I got a new one online. Turned out the new one's deeper than the original. Checked that it will just slip into its place if carefully done, and as the bolts on the water pump side are about 20mm long, determined that it has enough space once installed. However even though it started to go fine it got totally stuck when the first hole slipped over one of the threaded studs in the pump. Wouldn't move back or forth. And as the radiator won't move at all towards front, all I could do was to try and carefully remove the viscous clutch. Well, the new one had stupid sharp nods in the front part and it punched the radiator which started to leak of course.. And do I feel stupid, stupid, stupid... Damage is done, and the trouble is, no original type radiators readily available where I live (Finland). I have recently ordered so many parts from the States and with the shipping added it is getting pretty darn expensive...

So I'm thinking is the trans cooling absolutely necessary as I'm usually driving in 10-25C (50-77f) so it doesn't ever get really hot? Every now and then, but really not often it may max out at 30c or 86f for a day or two. Would be way easier to find a radiator without the auto trans cooling line connector, so I'm wondering if this would be sensible?

The hole in the radiator is tiny, and I'm sure it is possible to fix it, but I wouldn't try that myself as I'm not a welder/solderer, don't have the equipment and I heard it is crucial to prepare the copper correctly and to clean the radiator also from inside properly for the solder to hold. And I don't seem to find radiator service in my area either.. Any ideas?

[Virto]

You could try something like K-seal, which is mostly just copper fragments that will fill and seal small holes. I've had really good luck with it, but I'm not sure if you can get it in Finland. There may be some kind of similar product, however.

I would suggest not bypassing the transmission cooler by using a manual transmission radiator, unless you're planning to add a smaller transmission/oil cooler in front of it. You'd obviously have to fab up some kind of mount for it.

[beermanpete]

If you have a radiator shop in your area they should be able to repair it. If you are forced to replace the radiator with one that does not have the trans cooler you can add a separate cooler for the transmission that mounts in front of the engine radiator. These are typically sold as an accessory for passenger cars and light trucks to add transmission cooling to help cool the transmission while towing trailers.

[hr369]

"I heard it is crucial to prepare the copper correctly and to clean the radiator also from inside properly for the solder to hold."

You do not have to prepare the "inside" just brush

down the outside and apply flux. Apply heat from a propane torch until is hot and melts the solder upon

contact with the radiator.

But if you don't want to try the repair yourself, there must be a radiator shop within driving distance to you.

As for the trans cooler, I really doubt that stock cooler inside the radiator is very effective at removing heat.

There are other datsuns that use the same jatco trans and don't have the cooler.

Edited September 5, 2013 by hr369

[kingofapes]

Thanks guys, after initial disgust at my own stupidity I evaluated the damage and would say 1. any self healing miracle product won't work, the whole is small but too big for any of those products to work 2. it is worth keeping the current radiator so 3. have to find a radiator shop 4. found one. only about 45 minute drive away. I must say these shops would surely have more clients if they knew how to make themselves known on the internet.. I mean they have no websites, they don't always even show up in searches.. anyway I found a shop and will take the radiator there next week. I might be ok without the trans cooling but as someone said, if the Datsun engineers put something in the car it was probably for a reason as they tried to keep everything as simple and economical as possible.