I'm putting a t56 from a 95 z-28 into my 83 TA. Original engine and 700R4 have been out for almost ten years so I'm kind of starting from scratch. I'm concerned that some of the parts that I bought (from a reputable tranny shop) are the wrong type. For example, I discovered that they sold me the wrong t.o. bearing, presumably, for the 5 speed version. Now I'm worried that they might have sold me the wrong clutch, pressure plate, and slave cyllinder as well.

How can I tell? I've already bolted-in the centerforce flywheel and the clutch and pressure plate seem to fit. Also, the slave cylinder arrangement seems very..... unsexy.

Another thing. The block is a pre-86 4blt main. Seems like there is a mis-match between the top of the bellhousing and the block- basically, the block wants another bolt there but the bellhousing is slightly lower than the block at the top and no place for a bolt - so I only have six bolts holding on the tranny.

 

First of all, there are 2 different versions of the T-56, the OE unit and an aftermarket unit made by Tremec to fit older style SBC bellhousing. The OE type uses a 'pull-style' clutch, and the TO bearing is made as part of the pressure plate. Also, the flywheel will need to have a pretty deep offset to allow the hub of the pressure plate to clear. The slave cylinder mounts from the rear of the bellhousing, meaning it pushes the end of the fork toward the front of the vehicle. the other end of the fork 'pulls' the pressure plate away from the flywheel (hence the name 'pull style').

So my guess is you have the OE-style T56 but you need the aftermarket version because of your block. Sorry to drop a bomb, but do a search of T56 in the threads here and you'll figure out what I'm talking about with the 2 different versions pretty quickly.

 

No, you don't need the aftermarket version because of the block.

A 93-97 T-56 will bolt RIGHT UP to a block as old as 1955.

What you DO need, is the right flywheel; which is ONLY available as a "conversion" part, since no such combo ever existed from the factory. The correct flywheel is a Centerforce 700107, and I believe there may be others (Fidanza maybe, maybe more).

Nothing from the T-5 setup will work. Not one piece. As described, the clutch works "backwards" compared to a T-5 one, so all the parts are different. The T-56 hydraulics will however bolt right into your car and work fine.

I know this because I have a T-56 in my 83 model car, bolted up to my 83 model motor.

 

I already bolted up the 700107 flywheel. I guess I need to recall what clutch parts they actually sold me and go from there.

But I already bolted-on the bell housing and like I said, it lacks a hole for a bolt at the twelve-o'clock position. However, the engine has a boss at the twelve-o'clock position. In other words, the engine takes seven bolts but the bellhousing only takes six.

 

No car bell housing manufactured any time recently (20-30 yrs) uses that top hole. Your 700 didn't, a T-5 doesn't. It's not an issue.

Take the BH back off, it's alot easier to put the clutch in without it.

 

That's a relief to hear. Thanks. I think I will probably just pull the block and install the engine and trans as one.... once I find the right pars.