BBforks, just because the trans cooling lines do not share space with the engine cooling system does not really disconnect the engine temp and trans temp completely.
One of the problems with the torque convert stator being bad is that the motor is loaded beyond normal when just running, even more when driving, as if it was having to push past almost locked brakes all the time. (why the motor speed never gets beyond 1650 RPM when fully loaded, when it should be 2300 or so, yet gets the full 2700 rpm when not loaded)