I had to measure the run-out on my quicktime bellhousing. To do that, I removed the front plate from the T56. I've connected the front plate back to the transmission with permatex gasket maker. Before I install my engine and transmission into my trans am, I would like to leak test the T56 to make sure the gasket works. Can I use rubbing alcohol? It's much easier to clean up than transmission fluid, and it evaporates.

 

Did it leak before?
Were the sealing surfaces properly cleaned before reinstall? And reasonably free from scarring?
No reason to waste time and money.
I don't know which gasket maker you used but ultra RTV from permatex is what I always use.

 

No, it didn't leak before. I did clean the sealing surfaces, and that took forever. Getting the old sealant off wasn't easy. I used a tooth brush, lacquer thinner, and another gunk remover. And I used ultra gray RTV. It was the first time I did this, and I'd hate to get the transmission mounted and then discover that it leaks.

 

I also had to use a razor blade to remove excess sealant around the outside of the transmission (after the stuff dried). Maybe I used to much permatex, because it mashed outward when I bolted the plate to specs.

 

Ultra gray is why it was a pain in the *** to clean off. Use black. I don't know who is feeding the suggestion to use grey; on a non-pressurized die-cast assembly unit, it does nothing better.

A steel bristle brush will take most off easy, razor blade is good too.

Torque all 11 bolts evenly, you won't have issues.

A tiny line will squeeze very little out the edges. Not a big deal to have used too much.

 

Thanks - that puts my mind at ease. Ultra gray was what was used before. I took the transmission to a shop for stage 2 upgrade. And yes, it was a pain the *** to remove.