So I read through the T56 thread and found some great info. Really good stuff. I'm going to be building a 327 shortly, but not sure if it will be a 1pc or 2pc yet. I got a lot of blocks sitting around at my family shop so thats all TBD.

Anyways. Heres my question. I'm going to look at a T56 off of an LT1 that a guy is selling for 900(He was asking 1000 and it comes with the bellhousing flywheel and clutch. But obviously the last 2 wont work. So I talked him down.).
What should I look for on the transmission to check the condition. I'm guessing going through the gears will only tell so much. Also I THINK I can spin the input shaft but I'm not sure.
I'm hoping you guys can give me some guidance on what to look for before I throw away 900 bucks!!

Thanks!


Oh yeah and my shell is a 92RS. I haven't even tore the V6andT5 out yet lol, lazy. And it will not be a DD.

 

Check the fluid in it for metal shavings or chunks. Going through the gears won't tell you much unless you're actually driving it. Check the case for cracks or missing pieces. Although if can get it for $900 then I'd buy it unless its in a lot of small broken pieces. Rebuild kits are fairly cheap, and from what I've seen, it's not hard to rebuild. Good ones usually go for at least twice that from what I've been able to find. I am not 100% sure, but I believe the stock LT1 flywheel and bellhousing will bolt to an older 2pc crank just fine. Been a while since I was actively looking into the swap though.

 

what he said ^^^^^
and also wiggle the input shaft up and down and side to side to check for play. if it has alot of play it generaly means it is high mileage and not neccesarily broken. but still a good deal for 900.

 

Here are the pics he sent me. Looks normal to me from those but I'll have to look closer when I get there tomorrow. . . if it's still there.

 

thanks for the advice though guys. Good info!

 

Bellhousing/clutch will work. Flywheel won't work if you have a 2-piece rear main

 

Check for excessive play in 5th and 6th. Hard to do with it together but easy to tell if you pull the tail (gear should not move on the shaft).

These two gears are on the same pressed on (on a spline) gear, if the car has seen a lot of hwy miles the splines wear out on the gear and output shaft and the gear comes lose and the wear accelerates until the gear spins on the shaft. The fix is replace the output shaft and the 5/6 gear, this is a little pricey, or wait until it fails and have a 4 speed...

 

lol!

Good advice though. I'm supposed to go get it today. I'll let you guys know what I find.
Thanks again!

 

Just wondering how it all worked out??

 

Oh sorry I just noticed your post.
Everything went good. He took 900. Everything looked good. Input spun free, no play either. I might open it up just to take a look. But it will be waiting at the shop for when I get to put it in. I'll have to order a fork and the master/slave kit now...and everything else needed of course.

edit:
Oh btw I got a lot out of my 92 recently. Got the T5 out, and everythings clear to pull the v6. Just waiting on a lift to open back up. Been busy this week. For all I know it could be 6-12 months before i get everything in, but thats kinda what happens when it's not a dd...to the back burner :/