I will try to explain this with the least amount of swearing but i really do not know what the F to do with this transmission. For the people who do not know...

I am swapping a T56 into my car, with a Mcleod Twin Disk clutch setup. I cannot get this input shaft in for the life of me. I have assistance from 2 others and we just cant get it in right. I have checked, double checked, triped checked with an alignment tool and it is all straight. I have lubed the hell out of the input shaft and the clutches. I can get the tranny in till there is about a 3/4 gap from the bellhousing. At this point i dont know if i have the wrong throwout bearing or what. Its not making any since, and this is my daily driver and its frustrating having to barrow or bum rides from people. So PLEASE any advice help, let me know what you want to know pictures ect...i need to get this done.

 

When you get the transmission at this point: try having one of your buddies push the clutch pedal in while you try to get the transmission to seat aginst the bellhousing.

 

But the clutch pedal hydraulics arent hooked up to the fork so how would that do anything?

 

Being that close and not going, I'd definitely check out that bearing (damaged or incorrect). Those transmissions have tight tolerances and you have to be very patient assembling them no forcing.

 

Usually when it stops that close to the face of the bellhousing, it's something to do with the pilot bushing in the back of the crank. Are you sure your pilot bushing is the right diameter for the end of the input shaft? Also, this is probably obvious, but your trans is from an LT1 right? The LS1 T56 is different and won't work in a thirdgen. The only other things I could think of is if the splines on the two discs aren't lined up perfectly straight, or maybe the bearing retainer is hanging up inside the throwout bearing? My knowledge on the T56 is fairly limited. Hopefully someone with more experience on these trannys will chime in. Good luck.

 

All im doing is using the parts the guy used. I do think something may be wrong with the throwout bearing cause thats where it stops. I will be taking it out and taking it to the parts store later today to compare to a stock replacement. I just hope its not a specific throwout bearing and only works with this pressure plate. I know the codes on the transmission and i know its a LT1 T56. I knew i would have problems with this clutch. Either in the car or just getting it together, if i had the money id buy a stock replacement and a stock flywheel.

I appreciate the advice and i will have a look at that bearing. Thanks.

-Steve

 

ughh i really hope its not wrong parts...i just have a bad feeling now. It really is tuff trying to find the right parts at the right price. Gambling that kind of money on a what if situation and this is my daily driver. SUCKS. Ill give updates later tonight...still frustrated after a nights rest.

 

You might be onto something there. There's probably a real good chance that McLeod dual disk unit uses a specific throwout bearing. You might want to give them a call and ask.

 

Use an alignment tool, and BE CERTAIN that the disc is lined up to the flywheel.

It's not the throwout bearing, you can believe that; IF you have th eone that goes with the clutch. It's hitting on the pilot. And about the only cause of that, is misalignment; either the disc on the flywheel, or the trans to the engine.

I'd suggest doing what I told somebody else that I do to put those in, and I seem to recall that it was you who seemed to unbelieve what I said (though I could be wrong about who it was); which is, 2 floor jacks. Well, I can tell you right now, MY trans is IN my car, and that's how it got there, and I did it ENTIRELY by myself, without even so much as any appropriate words in the trnasmission's own language from another person; so it works better than whatever alot of other people whose T-56s AREN'T in their cars are doing.

Try it, you might like it.

 

When you get the pilot bushing/bearing out verify it fits over the input shaft.

 

sofa: i did you use method last night and it worked well...that was not the problem. At this point all i can do is take the PP off to get the throwout bearing out. I will try to get it on the input shaft if it doesnt go then there is my problem.

I find it hard to beilive some of the parts are wrong because all of this was used together, i mean i dont know if there is some kind of spacer or what that im missing. I dont get it. Maybe someone has some pictures with it out or apart and i can say if somethings different about mine. I hate driving 45 minutes each way to work on my car to not accomplish something. I tried EVERYTHING last night and theres no way im just gonna keep doing that it simply just wasnt going in. Now all i can do is take everything off again to make sure it looks fine...

Also for you guys i will get pictures of anything and everything while under the car...

Thanks.

 

try slipping the trans/bell onto the motor without the clutch installed. - then you can atleast eliminate something from the equation. If it goes, it's in the clutch(disc alignment, throw-out bearing, etc) If it doesn't, then its pilot/input shaft/bellhousing related.

you don't by chance have the large(168 tooth flywheel) and a bellhousing that will only fit the small(153 tooth) flywheel do you? - just something to check....assuming internally bolted bellhousing, the only T56 I've messed with was with the adapter plate and an old-style bellhousing

 

I had the same exact problem. I had me and a buddy and 2 jacks. Took 6 hours to get it in right. I had to spin the tranny tail shaft, lube the pilot bearing too. My main problem was the angle. I couldn't get the damn dowles to line up and the input shaft in the pilot all at the same time. It just took a bunch of tries.

The first thing I did was make sure the pilot bearing went on the input shaft. and make sure the TO bearing slides along everyhting easily.

It was super hard, but it is in now. I used a SPEC stage 3. I am very happy with it.

 

Someone show me where the pilot bearing/bushing is located please? Is it pressed onto the flywheel or the crank or what? I actually think it is something at the far end(by the motor) that is stopping it from going in and that could explain it.

 

 

Ok now i think im onto something. When everything was out, and the new flywheel torqued on. I tried to insert the clutch alignment tool and it wouldnt stay up it kept just falling out...is that normal? Ive never used one before so i didnt know if that was normal? My car was an automatic i dont even remember looking at that bearing? Will it be there when i take off the flywheel again?

 

If you didn't put one in, there probably won't be one there.

If it's missing, the transmission will be DESTROYED, in excruciating detail. I guess it's a good thing you haven't got the trans to install just yet.

You don't have to take the flywheel off for this, just the clutch.

 

but......wouldnt the transmission still be able to go into place?

lol i didnt put any bearing/bushing on so i dont have one!

Now do i get a pilot bearing for a 1997 camaro or a 1992 camaro?

 

That pilot bearing is about 3/4" it all makes since now...i will have better results tonight i promise!

 

Yes.

Or a 67, or a 72, or a 84 Camaro; or a 55 BelAir, a 66 Nova, 69 Chevelle, or a 91 pickup truck, or .... . They're all the same, with one tiny exception that doesn't apply to you.

Here's about the lowest cost way to get a bearing that I know of. You can get a bushing at the corner parts store for maybe $3. Personally I prefer the bearing, others prefer the other; either is fine, and certainly either is better than nothing.

Summit Roller Pilot Bearings: SUM-G1700 - summitracing.com

 

I was about to chime in with a few anwers to those questions, but from the sound of the last post you got them all answered somehow... If you still need more info, I am sure I can help.

 

If you used one of the plastic clutch alignment tools, the problem may be the disk alignment. This takes you back to where the clutch pedal needs to be pushed in for that last seating of the transmission.

Many moons ago I would use a Muncie input shaft as a clutch alignemnt tool (wasn't good for much else, most of the teeth where missing). It worked G R E A T. The transmission would slip into place each and every time.

Since changing to a transmission with the 26-spline shaft, I purchased one of those good-for-nothing plastic alignment tools. Each and every time I need to have someone depress the clutch pedal. And I mean every time. What a pain. But it is the only way to get the trans seated into the bell housing pilot.

Whatever you do don't let the trans hang on the clutch disk.

Couple other tips: put the trans into 2nd or 3rd gear, and place a yoke into the tail housing. This allows for easy spinning of the input shaft to align it to the clutch disk. And, fluid won't leak out all over.

RBob.

 

Transmission is in

I can say after i got the pilot bearing in it still took a good 3-4 hours just to get it to line up...what a PITA and to think about changing a clutch on it? I really dont know why it was so hard for us...

Thats about all i got done, cause im beat and tired but ill try and finish tommaro.

Thanks for everyones help, without you guys id be lost forever.

 

I got to drive my car today.....in the air

Still got to wire the reverse and VSS but other then that she runs and goes through the gears in the air...no torque arm mount!!!

I thought i would be re-using my 7004 mount, i was wrong. So i got to wait till monday for a dealer only item bummer I really wanna rip this thing through the gears! I was so happy today it all worked...just thought id share!

 

congrats i need to get myself a t-56

 

Shot in the dark but did you paint the bell housing and everything up nice before installing?

When I put a new T5 in mine I first painted it with some cheap blue. Then someone made a smart comments on how its not gonna be seen, what a waste. So I bought some fancy neon green engine paint and did it again.
Just to annoy them more.

But then I fought for days to get the sucker in. The center hole for the bell had to much paint on it and the trans wouldn't slide in. It had to be sanded back to bare metal.

 

No i didnt paint anthing lol. thats funny.

 

I totally agree RBob. I still run a Muncie in my 69 Camaro, and I've also got an old input shaft in the bottom drawer of my tool box. If you ever get the chance to snag an old input shaft that's the same as the trans you're running, by all means grab it! They work way better than the plastic dummy shafts.