Extra outlets on my new radiator...

I just purchased a new radiator from radiator barn and Im certain I picked the correct year, model and trim truck (1995.5 2.7L manual 4x4 ext cab) and the new radiator has some additional outlets on the bottom...I'm wondering if this isn't for a transmission cooler or something else? It made me nervous that it wasn't the exact same as the radiator that I pulled out, I ordered an OEM radiator and yet it was different. I did put coolant in the new radiator while it was sitting there, just out of the box, and plugged the outlet to the engine block and none of it leaked out of the extra outlets. Here's a picture

 

Yep, just a trans cooler. I'd probably plug them up just so nothing gets in em, but ya, you really dont have any need for em.

 

plug them up with what, hopefully there's some way I can plug them that is reversible, should I ever have interest in a transmission cooler, then again probably not, tow capacity is 3500, but eh, Im curious

 

Didn't they come with a small plastic/rubber type of cap when you picked it up? That should be fine. If not, it really doesn't matter what you use. You just want to keep mud and dirt from getting inside, just in case you fine a use for it and to keep it nice.

I cant imagine you ever needing it with a manual trans though... Not even sure how it'd end up working with a manual since I dont believe there's a pump and its a completely different type of lube.

 

+1

You should never use those lines with a manual trans. People often call it a trans cooler but it's also known as a heat exchanger. Auto tranny fluid can get very hot & that's where it would act as a cooler but would never bring temps lower than what your coolant is. In cold climates, on start up, it also heats up the tranny fluid to bring it up to operating temperature quickly. Gear oil in a manual tranny should never get that hot.

Most radiator shops will tend to only carry the version with the heat exchanger for inventory reasons since they're generally backwards compatible. Of course with exceptions where some vehicles don't come in auto.