Radiater and wipers

[zetterberg]

my 57 ford has the 312 and fordomatic tranny. I have replaced the fuel pump with the vacuum lines to the wipers buit wipers still dont work.  What else can I do. My rad has 1 drain line and 2 other lines to the tranny.  I got  a new rad shipped tom me but it only the drain line.  Do I need the other 2 lines?

[shopratwoody]

The other 2 lines a trans cooler. Yes you need them.

[texasmark1]

had my vac wiper motor rebuilt by Fliken Wiper and it works great... find them on the net...; $99
I got a new rad a while back; only needed one drain since I had man trans...
the other two ports are for a/t cooling lines, I believe...

Mark

[KidKourier]

Zetterberg,    As shopratwoody says,yes you need the "2" lines from the tranny other wise you'll burn up your trans!The radiator helps cool the tranny fluid when the trans lines are connected to it just like it cools the water/antifreeze to your motor. You have "2" choices--- #1-send the radiator back and get one for an automatic trans--or--#2- buy an external trans cooler,mount it in front of the radiator and run your trans lines to it( should come with mounting kit /instructions).As far as the wiper motor,I'd go with an after market electrical wiper motor(my opinion) as I've always had problems with the vacuum ones failing when you most need them. KID

[RICH MUISE]

I'd recommend the external cooler option. They are gennerally more efficient than the internal. My main reason for this however is a past experience with a radiator that had an internal leak between the engine coolant and the trans cooler. Internal leak meant there was no telltale fluids dripping from the car. By the time I found out about it it cost me a transmission rebuild. The tranny fluid leaking into the radiator didn't cause any problems with the engine, but as I understand, automatic trannys use a water soluble adhesive on the bands, and if you get water into your tranny fluid it's bye-bye.

[rmk57]

If you don't want to rebuild your vacuum unit a bolt in option would be the 1957 Chevrolet electric wiper. You can even use your old cable,dash knob, etc. There are usually a few on eBay at any given time.

[Ford Blue blood]

I'd recommend the external cooler option. They are gennerally more efficient than the internal. My main reason for this however is a past experience with a radiator that had an internal leak between the engine coolant and the trans cooler. Internal leak meant there was no telltale fluids dripping from the car. By the time I found out about it it cost me a transmission rebuild. The tranny fluid leaking into the radiator didn't cause any problems with the engine, but as I understand, automatic trannys use a water soluble adhesive on the bands, and if you get water into your tranny fluid it's bye-bye.

Rich I would agree with you on the external cooler except the tranny fluid still needs to be run through the radiator.  In cooler climates the radiator warms and drys out the tranny fluid and brings it up to operational temperatures.  Short trips and cold weather are the culprits that leave moisture in the transmission and cause premature failures, having the tranny fluid run through the radiator after the external cooler is the way to go IMHO.

[zetterberg]

Thanks for the tips.  Zetterberg

[zetterberg]

Regarding the wipers, is there a specific model chevy I need to look for.

[drof75]

Regarding the wiper motor. Here's where I got mine. It bolted right up. Install was a breeze. Not sure if it fits a Chev or not. I just told him 57 ford fairlane 500.

http://www.thunderbirdsouthwest.com/TBird_Southwes.html

Buz

[rmk57]

 No specific model, Belair, 210,150 sedan, Pontiac uses the same wiper motor to. There are about 6 on ebay now.

[Bubba]

On the subject of trans coolers Rich is right go with an external oil cooler, you can always run the lines through the radiator as well as long as the radiator is set up for an automatic trans.  SETRAB USA makes top of the line engine and transmission oil coolers and will even provide you with a fan pack for additional air flow. Here's the URL for their web site.  If you contact them they will actually size the cooler for your particular application.
Bub