I just recently installed a new aftermarket radiator on my '79 camaro with 350 motor and TH350 AutoMatic Transmission and now the thing is either slipping out of gears, stuttering, or shifting erratically at high RPMs. I just changed the fluid and filter on the trans a month ago, and now when I check the fluid level it is very high and grey in color. I have hooked up the aluminum lines coming off of the trans right back into their proper locations on the radiator, is it possible Im getting coolant in my transmission?

How would I go about checking this?

welcome to team camaro..what was wrong with the old rad??

My vote is yes. You have problems.

Well the original rad was from '79 so it was all junked up. The one I put in was nice and new, I did notice when I changed the fluid and filter that there was about 2 tablespoons of aluminum shavings at the bottom of the pan. Read some forums that said that the metal was normal to an extent. Could this in any way be related to a bad modulator vacuum or does it sound more internal?

I just changed the fluid and filter on the trans a month ago, and now when I check the fluid level it is very high and grey in color. I have hooked up the aluminum lines coming off of the trans right back into their proper locations on the radiator, is it possible Im getting coolant in my transmission?

How would I go about checking this?

I would say yes you are getting coolant in your trans.Disconnect the lines and bypass the rad. cooler service trans. again and drive it.It will not hurt the trans. to do a short test drive without the cooler hooked up.

Thats a good idea, would I just close the circuit by connecting the two lines, or do I even need to do that? And if that solves the problem would that tell us that there is some leak on the trans side that is allowing the coolant to enter the trans?

Trans fluid and coolant make a mixture the color of Pepto Bismol. I can't remember if you find this in the radiator or transmission. I do know that if the trans cooler is bad you will have some trans fluid floating in the radiator. I think that the silver/gray fluid in you trans is due to metal on metal contact inside the trans. I think you need a trans rebuild.

Jeff

Connect the lines together.If problem goes away you avoided a trans. rebuild and the rad is leaking.I agree with Jeff that usually coolant and trans. fluid are pink but the overfilled condition makes me think it has coolant in it.

Ill do the bypass and see what happens, theres a guy around here that has a rebuilt th350 that he is trying to get rid of for $150, I think it is just misssing the torque converter. If I were to go that route and buy this new one, how difficult of a removal/install would it be?