[A/S] Add'l trans cooling for '96 K2500 Suburban 454

[Stan Nicholson <stan@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Jerry - Thanks for the tip re Hayden.

Andy - When the temp spiked I was pulling our Airstream loaded to 
about 7200 lb. up a 6% grade in 80 degree weather.  Started up the 
grade at about 60 mph in 3rd, and quickly settled down to about 40 
mph in second.  The trans temp stayed below 200 for about two miles, 
then rapidly rose to something like 230-240 during the last half mile 
before the crest. Took about 5 miles on the downslope after the crest 
for the temp to drop back below 200.  I figure the delays in spiking 
and in dropping were due in part to the extra 3 quarts of trans fluid 
in the B&M pan - more thermal mass.

The radiator coolant temp went a hair above normal during this time, 
but was certainly within the range expected.  I had planned to 
install a temp gauge in the engine oil pan, too, but it turns out 
(according to one mechanic, anyway) that one has to drop the front 
differential to remove the oil pan to install a sending unit. 
Decades ago I had a Stewart-Warner oil temp gauge with a sending unit 
which replaced the oil pan drain plug in my Chevy small-block pickup. 
Incredibly, no one seems to offer such sending units any more, a 
conclusion reluctantly reached after much web surfing and many 
conversations with parts suppliers and manufacturers nationwide.

Enough kvetching - I'm glad to know that it's hard to get 4L80Es warm 
in general, but this rig apparently needs some help, particularly 
given our plans to attack some Sierras this summer.

Thanks!

Stan