518 install sanity check

[oh58dscout]

I am getting ready to begin my transmission swap. Just looking for a check on a few of my part choices.

Car is a 73 Barracuda, 360, 904.

unknown compression, was told around 9 to 1
484 purpleshaft
596 heads, unported

3.55 rear gear

I had my 518-2 pin, rebuilt. Will probably go with a 3000 stall TQ. Will call PATC for their advice.
No cooler lines in the yards here. looking at these, make sense?
624-304, 624-305 Dorman
http://www.summitracing.com/search/part-type/automatic-transmission-cooler-lines/make/dodge/transmission-type/46re
Will delete the checkvalve.

Should I run my lines straight to a cooler, or go thru the radiator? Thoughts?

Will use an adjustable switch to engage the overdrive
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/nos-15685nos/overview/

Kickdown
http://www.partsflix.com/product.asp?itemid=19235&gclid=CJnDkLr38MQCFdgNgQodmgwAZg




Any advice is appreciated.

[Katfish]

Lot of good info in the sticky in this section.

I would get lines for a 95 3500 Van, they use the push-in quick disconnect fittings which are nice.
I cut the lines at front of engine, then ran rubber lines to the cooler mounted in front of radiator.
Also used the cooler from same 95 Van

[rockymopar]

I ran steel brake line for trans cooler lines. 3/8".  I can't remember how I did the ends. I think I used flare fittings with the proper npt pipe ends. You have to neck it down to 5/16" to use the stock trans cooler. I always meant to parallel an aux cooler just to make sure there are no flow restrictions, but haven't did it yet. 2 years and 10000 miles later. I would not be afraid to use a section of rubber hose and hose bibs to connect to a steel line if you don't do flares

[oh58dscout]

I will look to see if I can find those lines. That is the exact advice I am looking for before I drop the cash on these last parts.

Did you bypass the radiator straight to the cooler?

Thanks

[1 Wild R/T]

When I did a conversion years ago I called Fine Lines & they made me a set of cooler lines, They used the standard 70 Ebody pattern for bends but they made them out of 3/8 tubing & used the ends to match my trans & radiator fittings.... They didn't even charge me more for the custom work...

On all the fittings I drilled them out to the ID of the line....   

On the radiator cooler I had my local radiator shop install a cooler from a 518 equipped truck with the 3/8 female inverted flare connections in my 70 Challenger radiator.... When it was done I was disappointed to find the locations where the lines thread into were restricted... So I drilled those fittings out too... But I was obviously concerned about getting metal chips into the cooler so I rigged a few fittings to my compressed air & blew air through the cooler while drilling forcing any chips out the hole I was drilling... Then moved the air to the other side & repeat....

[oh58dscout]

Fine lines will get a call from me tomorrow!

I am very concerned about keeping the flow rate good to ensure long life for the transmission.

Love this site, thanks for all the information guys.

Jason

[Katfish]

I'm in FL and not worried about cold weather, so I bypassed the radiator.
As mentioned its restrictive and doesn't really help cooling.