graebz28

iTrader: (5)

What up guys,

I got my T-56 with stock bellhousing up on the jack right now. I'm having a really hard time gettng that last 1/2 inch to close. I can get one side started, but the other side swings out of the reach of the bolt.

I need some pointers on gettting the bh and engine flush.

I thought of going to the hardware store and getting 4 longer bolts or studs and lining all them up from 1-2" back and then slide the trans flush to the motor.

Hulk0202

You must not have it in all the way. Id play with it until it drops all the way in. You dont want to force it by using longer bolts. Its obviously hung up on something.

kevinc

This has worked for me in the past, but if you try it do so at your own risk. It's not in the manual, and I make no guarantee that it will work for you.

1.) I support the the trans at all times so it's not resting on the input shaft. A floor jack with wheels works great, as it will need to slide forward while the trans seats against the engine.

2.) Get the trans as far in as you can with your hands, ensure the two engine dowel pins are aligned with the bellhousing holes.

3.) Install the clutch fork and slave cylinder. If you can start a bellhousing bolt or two that's fine, but optional right now.

4.) Gently press in the clutch...very slowly...the action of the clutch fork will pull the trans up to the engine. Gently let off, check the trans for proper seating, and start the bolts by hand.

Again, no guarantees but it works for me.

graebz28

iTrader: (5)

Thanks Kev,

I have to hook up my pedals, then I'll give it a try. I'll be cautious.

logikal6785

how can so many of you guys be putting in t56's ?

i really want a 6 speed for my car but parts alone, i'm told, will cost $2300 - are you guys getting it all cheaper ? i'm doing labor with a friend but parts alone @ $2300 ?

RB83L69

You must be calling the dealer to get the price :sillylol:

You can usually get all the stuff to do it out of a wrecked car for anywhere from $600-$1200

87RS402

We scrimp, we save, and we beg our wives...

I've got my T-56 sitting next to my BBC headers waiting for me to get the longblock back together.

$2300 is about right for all new parts, $1940 + $160 shipping for a new aftermarket T-56, $117 for a spohn X-member (shipped), new trans mount, driveshaft shortening... It all adds up. If you go with a used 4th gen T-56 you can find deals on them for less, you just have to be paitent and have the cash to jump on it when you find one.

jeffs82z28

DO NOT TRY TO DRAW IT IN WITH BOLTS OR YOU WILL BREAK THE BELLHOUSING ! ! !

That " last 1/2 inch" is your pilot bearing telling you that it is not lined up completely.

Kevinc has given you a good piece of technique. But like he said, sometimes it works, sometimes it don't.

I have fought with more clutches than most people have wives and I've developed a few techniques that work pretty good.

If you are interested here they are:

1. Always make sure the pilot bearing I.D. is correct and there are no burrs on the input shaft.

2. Put a small amount of never sieze on the input shaft, from the pilot shaft section, to about half way up the spline portion. Remember, a little dab will do ya.

3. Use an alignment tool, they make life so much esier. I have used my fingers and eyeballed a few clutches, but the tool is the way to go.

4. While you are sliding it in, make sure the bellhousing and block are parallel. It is called "the gap" and if the gap isn't right, the tranny ain't goin' in.

5. After you have the input shaft started into the clutch disc, but the trans is too hard to push with your hands, get behind it and use your legs, don't be afraid to wiggle it around. Just don't let the trans hang from the clutch disc cause it will warp, bend, break, etc...

Anyway, there are some of the trade secrets that governments have tried to steal for years, and to think, you got them here on ThirdGen.org free

graebz28

iTrader: (5)

Good advice. I tried putting a jack under the harmonic balance and bring the engine down a bit to get a better angle. Makes sense that the pilot bearing is what is not lined up and that bolting it in will cause some input shaft smashing. I always got one side started and the other would never go. I'll back it out again and try real hard to get them as parallel as possible playing with a jack under the input shaft section of the trans and one on the balancer (Not too much, I know) and go from there. I just got the pedal in. PITA!! I had to bore out the bolt holes to make it.

I be in there tonight. Thanks again.

Mike