Doing my T-56 swap and I can't get the Trans into gear with the engine running. I thought it was a problem with the hydraulics because I saw that the master cylinder was leaking so I installed a different unit, but I still have the same problem. The clutch and pilot bearing are brand new. The Trans is an LT-1 T-56. Are there any ways to determine if it is for sure the pilot bearing? I'm praying to God that it's not because I don't want to have to remove the Trans and reinstall it. I haven't even been able to drive the car yet, and i'm at my witts end.

 

Are you using 4th gen pedals? Did you bleed the hydraulics? Did you put the disc on backwards?

 

I did this when I swapped in a hydraulic throwout bearing in my 82 Z (originally not hydraulic) in a T-10 that was brand new. I couldn't get it into gear at all and it turned out that the system needed to be bled. Do this just like you would a brake system. Push the pedal with the bleeder open, close bleeder, release pedal, on an so forth. However I found that in between bleeding the system (like every 5-10 bleed cycles) I would push the clutch pedal like 25 times. This seemed to work air out somehow and the pedal got firmer every time. Also I could see bubbles coming up into the reservoir.

However it could be the linkage as well. To see if this is the problem try putting it into gear without the car running. If it goes in your good there.

 

I'm using 4th gen pedals, I bled the system, I didn't put the clutch disk on backwards. It was marked"flywheel side" on the side that sticks out, so that side went towards the engine. There is no bleeder valve anywhere on the system.

 

I can get it into gear with the engine off. I can hear the slave and clutch fork moving when I depress the clutch.

 

To bleed it you unbolt the slave, hold it at a 45 degree angle with the line at the top, and push the piston in a bunch of time to push the air out.

Did the trans go into the bell all the way cleanly? Did you have to force it in with the bolts?

 

That's how I bled it. When I installed the Trans it was close and then tightened the bolts up to get it to go the rest of way. It didn't slide in exactly flush up against the bell housing.

 

Ok, so I pushed the car out into my driveway, put it in gear, depressed the clutch, and started it. As i started it the car started moving forward. after it started running I pressed the brake so I wouldn't go through my garage and the car stops, and continues to run with the clutch depressed. If I release the brakes the car starts moving again. If i let the clutch out, it really starts moving. if I hold the brake and let the clutch out the car dies out. I also tried driving it around the block to see if i'd be able to shift gears. I drove it really slowly and it's vibrating like all hell, and to shift from first to second I really had to yank on the shifter to get it out of first. i'm starting to think that pilot bearing is binding is binding on the input shaft. I'm also starting to wonder if something is terribly out of balance.

 

did you use an existing wiring hole as the master cylinder hole or drill it yourself? Does the pushrod fit off and on the pedal stud without depressing or unbolting the master cylinder?

Your clutch isn't releasing. It sounds like you're using all 93-97 parts. The question at this point is if the non-OEM parts and modifications match what they should. I.E. if the master cylinder travel and starting point are correct.

 

I drilled my own hole using the bracket on the pedal assembly as a template. If the clutch isn't releasing wouldn't the engine stall at a stop with the clutch depressed while in gear? Unless it's not releasing all the way and it's slipping? I don't know how to explain the vibrations either. The Trans, pedals, hydraulics, and flywheel are all from a 94 Z28. The pressure plate is a new one from napa for the same car, and I was told the flywheel was resurfaced,and you could tell it was.

 

Unless you can put it into gear with the clutch pedal nearly halfway off the floor, something regarding the clutch/slave cylinder is screwy.

 

I've heard some people say that the clutch starts to grab with the pedal only a 1/2" or so off the floor. It feels the same for me as well. i can tell when the clutch grabs and the car starts taking off. i've also heard that a bad pilot bearing can cause vibration issues.