Hello to everybody, I am new to the forum. I own a 1987 Grand National with 26000 original miles. The original radiator was leaking so I replaced with the Alradco radiator. (The transmission acted perfectly before this radiator was installed) The mechanic hooked up all the lines correctly, triple checked them, and filled with fluids. I took my first drive with the new radiator and I think my transmission is smoked! It started with losing overdrive all together and then I had drive but it wasn't shifting smoothly. I let it sit for about 30 minutes and drove it again. This time it went into overdrive and wouldn't shift into any other gears. two days later I test drove it again, this time it would me in drive and overdrive, shift very hard into 2nd gear but i had no gears after that and the longer the car ran the worse the transmission acted.
I want some opinions please. my mechanic is telling me he thinks the transmission cooler is not working, the lines going into the radiator were scolding hot, he says that shouldn't be. The transmission fluid levels are fine and there are No Leaks anywhere. So now I can't drive the car because I think there is major internal damage to the trans from too much heat. Alradco told me that they have never had a problem with the radiators and even if there was No Cooler the transmission wouldn't overheat, I don't necessarily buy that. All opinions are Greatly Appreciated!!!