A904 Cooler Line

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Valiant12

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I have a 63 Valiant with a 225 slant six bolted to a 904 torqueflite. Just below the starter motor, on the transmission cooler line, is a metal canister about 3/4 the size of a beer can that is attached to the trans cooler line with threaded, flared fittings, male on one side, female on the other. It is held in place with a wire hoop that is attached to the bracket that is bolted on. Everything is completely rusted, so it has been on the car a long time.

I cannot find any information as to what this is and if it was original to the car.

I am guessing it is an external filter, but not sure. Since the transmission also has an internal filter, not sure why it would be there. Could it be some sort of accumulator or extra reservoir for some purpose?

I have had some trouble with the trans, and contemplating removing it, if it is a filter, in case it is plugged up.

Does anyone know if this would have been original to the car, or if it could be anything other than a filter?

Thank You!
 
Are you sure it has an internal filter that looks like a later model filter. IIRC all you would have is an internal screen. That external canister bolt to the 904 would contain the actual filter. If this is not correct, perhaps someone knowledgeable about pre-65 904’s will chime in - perhaps @Charrlie_S
 
A trans might have blown before and metal was in the lines so some times they put a filter mostly a screen inside the line heading back to the trans.
 
That canister is the trans filter, which was used up thru 1963. There was just a screen inside the trans. Those filters are hard to find, and expensive when found. What can be done, is to remove the inline filter, and replace it with a section of line. Then install the 64-65 filter in the trans. This filter has two large holes for fluid. Do not use a filter for the later transmissions that have only one hole. Also use a 64 up trans pan. It has a depression (the 63 and older pans were flat on the bottom) to allow room for the internal filter.
 
Are you sure it has an internal filter that looks like a later model filter. IIRC all you would have is an internal screen. That external canister bolt to the 904 would contain the actual filter. If this is not correct, perhaps someone knowledgeable about pre-65 904’s will chime in - perhaps @Charrlie_S
Thank you for the reply! You were right. I did finally find in the manual where it says that the transmission has an external filter. Also, see the post from Charrlie_S that confirms.
 
That canister is the trans filter, which was used up thru 1963. There was just a screen inside the trans. Those filters are hard to find, and expensive when found. What can be done, is to remove the inline filter, and replace it with a section of line. Then install the 64-65 filter in the trans. This filter has two large holes for fluid. Do not use a filter for the later transmissions that have only one hole. Also use a 64 up trans pan. It has a depression (the 63 and older pans were flat on the bottom) to allow room for the internal filter.
Thank you so much for the reply! I really appreciate the method for replacing that external filter with one in the trans! I have had several folks warn me about draining that old fluid and putting in new, which I would have to do of course to add the in-pan filter. They said I might then have problems, something about the old fluid having particles in it that keep the bands and clutches working, and with the new clean fluid, there might start to be slippage. Do you know if there is anything valid to that thinking? Thanks again!
 
Thank you so much for the reply! I really appreciate the method for replacing that external filter with one in the trans! I have had several folks warn me about draining that old fluid and putting in new, which I would have to do of course to add the in-pan filter. They said I might then have problems, something about the old fluid having particles in it that keep the bands and clutches working, and with the new clean fluid, there might start to be slippage. Do you know if there is anything valid to that thinking? Thanks again!

Some times, replacing the fluid will cause problems. That is caused by the new fluid having fresh additives, that are not depleted, and that cleans the trans. If your trans is in that bad condition, it should be gone through, anyway. While having the pan down for the filter replacement, I would suggest adjusting the bands. What kind of problems are you having with the trans?
 
Some times, replacing the fluid will cause problems. That is caused by the new fluid having fresh additives, that are not depleted, and that cleans the trans. If your trans is in that bad condition, it should be gone through, anyway. While having the pan down for the filter replacement, I would suggest adjusting the bands. What kind of problems are you having with the trans?
I have owned the car for a little more than a year, and it has 72,000 miles on it. The only problem I have had is this: After idling at a long stoplight while in drive, started into intersection, trans lost all ability to transmit power, engine just revved. Pushbutton selector, tried all other gears, no result. Pushed car to parking lot. Checked trans fluid (in neutral with engine running) and it was at the correct level. Sat a while to think (5-10 minutes). Tried it again, and it worked fine. Drove home about several miles with no problems. Otherwise, I have not noticed any other problems, no shift issues that I noticed, no slipping that I noticed.
 
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