Corvair Forum

This is just an informational question. I saw a video where a guy attached an external oil cooler to the end of a powerglide for a sand buggy. I looked at the service manual and there are indeed two ports for pressure testing the shift points tapped into the end of the oil pump housing. A diagram of the front pump body shows a "oil cooler by pass valve" and a "priming valve". Could those be the pressure test points mentioned in the Diagnosis Guide section of the manual? Is this a bonafide/safe cooling hack for powerglides?

I guess the follow on question would be if an external cooler is ever needed except in a desert racing situation? Thanks experts!

I think I just found the answer to my question. I was doing more research and found a Larry Claypool youtube video (from CORSA) on Powerglide transmissions. He identifies two cast bosses on the front cover of the oil pump (front of transmission) that are drilled and tapped with 1/8" pipe thread holes for cooler lines used only on trucks. Maybe there is a separate service manual for trucks that mentions this setup as I couldn't find it in the shop manual.

A fellow in our club just learned about the "oil cooler" on his FC. One so-called "Corvair expert" did some work on his FC and replaced the flexible rubber lines between the transmission hard lines, and the cooler hard lines. The next day the fellow started his FC and noticed a long trail of transmission fluid down the fellow's driveway while backing up (better than out on the highway). The "Corvair expert" had installed plain rubber lines (like vacuum hose) and one split open from the pressure. The lines have to be petroleum rated and reinforced, which is what he put in and now all is well, except for the big oil spot on his driveway

There is transmission cooler hose made just for this. It is also a perfect size for the balance tube connections.

I have added coolers to Corvair powerglide transmissions. Drill and tap the two extra bosses and plug a passage inside. My conversion lacks a cooler bypass valve as found in factory setups but they work just fine.

Yes, those ports are likely the pressure test points in the manual.

Yes, the two ports present on all Corvair PG are indeed pressure test parts.

Corvair PG coolers require a second pair of ports for the cooler. 60-66 car PG front covers have undrilled bosses that can be used for the addition of a cooler provided that it's coupled with a simple internal modification.