Transmission operating temps

[Donny Carlson]

Now that I have a digital gauge, I am seeking advice on where to set the warning. The factory preset is 250 degrees. I was thinking of moving it to 240.

If I understand it correctly, normal temp range is 160-200, with 180 optimal.

I had to reset my gauge today because the sending unit I installed has a 0-400 degree range, where the gauge is preset to a 1-300 degree sending unit. This was causing a too low reading which I mistook as the gauge being set to C instead of F. Thank you DD tech support, I fixed it within 15 minutes of talking to them on the phone.

Temps start at ambient (outside temp, 90 degrees today) and rise to 105 at idle. Underway it climbs to 180 and stays unless you do a WOT run, where it will climb into the 190's. Hasn't gone over 200 so far. Interesting that the normal optimal temp of 180 is about 20-25 degrees below water temp, which is 200-205 at crusing speed.

http://www.mercurygallery.net/mmnet/data/500/1136DSC00737.JPG

[Donny Carlson]

Here are other shots of the A pillar gauges, including the tire pressire/temperature gauge.

http://www.mercurygallery.net/mmnet/data/500/1136DSC00733.JPG
http://www.mercurygallery.net/mmnet/data/500/1136DSC00736.JPG

http://www.mercurygallery.net/mmnet/data/500/1136DSC00738.JPG

[MitchB]

If I understand it correctly, normal temp range is 160-200, with 180 optimal

I had this discussion with Jerry a while back and according to him, the best temp to run the fluid at in your 4R70W is about 140 degrees... Fahrenheit.

Mitch

[merc406]

I try for 170 degrees as optimal fluid temp.

[BillyGman]

Donny, that trns fluid temp gauge looks sharp!!!! :up:


The reason why the trans fluid runs a bit cooler than the water/coolant temp is simply because even though there's heat producing friction in your transmission just like in your engine, there isn't combustion taking place in it also like there is in the engine. So I think it would be a bad sign if your tans fluid was running as hot as your coolant was.

BTW, where did you get those gauges, and that pod from? "DD Tech" you said? What and where is that?

[Krytin]

DD = Dakota Digital
The pods were in one issue of Sumit speed catalog about a year ago - no mention since.

[martyo]

DD = Dakota Digital
The pods were in one issue of Sumit speed catalog about a year ago - no mention since.

Autometer parts. They are still available, either as singles or doubles.

[BillyGman]

Thanks guys. ;)