The top line on the 4l60e is return.

 

Agreed.

Long story short I work with fluid/high temps/gauges every day (military equipment manufacturer) so Im kinda familiar with the stuff. Im not a rocket scientist by any means but none the less if you want to know the true temps of what the internal components of a system that are liquid cooled you need to get the sensor as close to those components as possible. When its not feasable to put the sensor directly on those components (like a trans with its moving parts) then a reading of the temprature of the cooling/lubricating fluid that just left those components will usually be your easiest/best bet to get a reading.

Just moving the sensor to a cooler location doesnt give you an accurate reading of the temps of the components or fluid where its important (inside the trans) it just gives you a reading of fluid thats not as hot.

Hypothetical situation... If you had to stick your hand in a stream of water coming out of a hose but you didnt know the temp but you knew it was hot where would you want to put a temprature probe to find out just how hot the water was? Would you put the temp probe 20' away from where the water was coming out of the end of the hose after it had a chance to cool some from being exposed to the outside air or would you want it right at the outlet where you were sticking your hand in it? You could get an idea of how hot the water was 20' away but would it be a true reflection of where the water is hottest where it could possibly do damage to your skin? Now replace the hand/water situation with a VERY expensive transmission....which temprature would you want to keep an eye on...the temprature of the fluid in the pan or temp of the fluid coming right out of the expensive parts of the trans? Trans pan=$30...trans rebuild=~$2000.

Vince,

Youre correct...the "where to put a trans temp sensor" has been argued for eons and the correct answer is relative to what theory you buy into. You know...some ppl say tow-may-toe and some say tow-mah-toe.

I guess what Im saying is that by no means am I argueing with you or say Im right your wrong (or vice versa) but does appear we buy into different theories on it. Im sure youd agree that no matter where you put the temp sensor its MUCH better to monitor the fluid temps in the first place rather than not at all.

Approaching or getting to 300 deg with non synthetic trans fluid is getting to critical mass. Regular trans fluid starts to break down at a more rapid rate at about 240.

Towing doesnt really cause the clutches to slip in a healthy trans. Towing does, however, get the fluid REALLY hot which reduces their ability the keep the clutches from slipping due to the thinner viscosity and the friction modifiers in the fluid coming apart. When this happens the clutches do slip which heats the fluid more and the clutches slip more. See the cyle in that last sentence? Hot fluid=slipping clutches=heating the fluid more=clutches slipping more=hotter fluid still until finally you have a catastrophic failure of the trans.

In theory at a steady speed you could tow a semi truck across the desert with a 1/2 ton truck and as long as you kep the fluid cool. Granted other parts would fail Im sure but the clutches in the trans would be fine.

I found a trans fluid temp graph a long time ago on the net that gave you the temps that the fluid started breaking down and the damage was being done. I'll see if I can dig that up for you.

 

i agree with thunder and myclone on this one too, i want to see the hottest temperature my transmission is seeing. but to make a long question short, where should the sensor be placed, reasonably speaking, to see the trust hgih temperature my transmission is seeing, pressure port or what?

 

I put mine in the hot fluid to cooler line as close to the trans as conveniently possible.

 

which line is the hot fluid to cooler line? how did you put the sending T in there with the metal lines? or diid you replace the whole metal line with rubber or what? pictures? \

where has everyone else put their fluid temp sending unit? speakin to those who follow the theory of trying to find the highest internal temp mind you....

 

I would think placing the "T" as close to the transmission "OUT" line to cooler as possible. That away you would know approx how hot the trans internals are.

If you wanted to see how efficent your Trans coolers are, you could put a "T" where the Lines are goin back the the trans. You could tell the difference in temps.. But that would be a waste of money. Sounds cool though.

 

how would you splice a T in there with the stainless stock transmission lines? wouldnt you need a hose flaring tool? and some special connectors or what?
and where can i find a T?

 

Summit racing sells a manifold that goes inline with the steel lines. Yes you would need a flare tool. I don't think there are special connectors, but you can probably check it out on their site. Personally, I would just put it in the pressure port, seems to work fine for most people, but it's up to you.

 

yea i think ill just do the pressure port. im tired of buying things that dont make me go anyfaster anyways how did you route the elec. wire into the cab?

 

Ran it forward and up, then through the firewall near where the big harness goes through on the driver's side.