I may be asking a dumb question because I am probably overlooking something on this but if asking a dumb question is what it takes, I've got no problem doing it. I'm getting ready to swap in a 4.8 & T56 into my 92 camaro. I just finished swapping everything over on the motor and installed the new clutch kit and slave cylinder. My problem is that I cannot get the trans to mate to the engine. The splines are started about 1" but it seems I may be contacting the pressure plate with the slave cylinder. IIRC my slave cylinder to bell housing-trans surface is 3" while my pressure plate to the same surface is 2.25" Meaning I have about 3/4" interference. I don't want to force it on using bolts to pull the two together - I'm not completely opposed, I just want to do it right. This is my first time dealing with this type of slave cylinder. Do I have to bleed the slave cylinder prior to bolting the trans to the engine? My only other conclusion is that I'm not lining up with my pilot bearing - I know it fits because I tested it prior to installing it.

 

Did you use one of these to align the clutch while you were installing it?

 

Yes, I used the clutch alignment tool. I've read some ppl have a little slop and have to hold it in the center while installing the pressure plate. I may have to redo that step but if I'm missing a step with the slave I may end up in the same situation.

 

Yes, I used the clutch alignment tool. I've read some ppl have a little slop and have to hold it in the center while installing the pressure plate. I may have to redo that step but if I'm missing a step with the slave I may end up in the same situation.

 

Try having someone push in the clutch while working it in from the bottom to get it to seat all the way.. That's always worked for me.

 

It's not in the car yet. The hydraulics are not hooked up to anything.

 

You may want to look into the different crank flange lengths on the 4.8 vs 5.3/5.7. IIRC my friend had this issue when he did a 6speed swap in his 4.8 truck. He had to do something to make it work right but I cant remember exactly what.

 

+1

Always works for me too,.... hook up the hydraulics and try it !

 

If the alignment tool doesn't fit snug into the pilot bearing/bushing (and it never does) wrap a few turns of masking tape around the snout until it fits very snug.

That's generally gotten me close enough that I could get the trans to seat without having anyone push the clutch in, so I could do it by myself, and before the clutch is hooked up.

 

I've only used one of those universal alignment tools once with success. Instead of splines, it used a cone to center the friction disc. The pilot bushing end isn't nearly long enough to hold the tool straight.

My father used to have one drawer in one of his tool chests full of junk input shafts. These seem to work the best but for a one-off install? Maybe not.

He even had one that worked for a 1931 Ford AA truck.