cleanflametrap
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 3, 2009
- Location
- near baltimore
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I don?t think the AW70 is a weak unit. I contend that clean fluid, changed frequently and a cooler are key to long life.
We've had a bunch of AW70s in 240s along with one M46, one AW55, and one AW71. No troubles* with the AW70 on cars with 375K miles, and I'm not a fluid changer unless it looks sick. My guess/suspicion/hunch is those that fail may have experienced a leak of engine coolant into the ATF. That thin barrier in the radiator is easy to disturb especially when DIY folks get advice on the web to use the retainer nuts as counter holds when breaking loose the cooler line nuts. Maybe better advice would be, as you say, a cooler. Not that I practice it.
I drive distance on the interstates with these old 240's, never seeing another for thousands of miles. My worries have not yet been with the automatic transmissions.
*aside from the usual kickdown cable failures, overdrive solenoid failures, and tailshaft bushings...