T56 Install woes

[nicks67camaro]

I am having some issue getting my T56 in. Here is what I have

SBC motor
LS1 t56
The gearbox adapter plate
http://www.thegearbox.org/catalog/it...17/4803441.htm
and the extended pilot bushing
Factory bellhousing
Raptor X crossmember by PATC
http://www.transmissioncenter.net/ra...rossmember.htm

Here are the issues I'm having I don't think the transmission is sitting high enough in the car. Here are the reasons why. (these are all with the trans at the highest it will go.

1. This is the distance between the top of the output shaft and the trans tunnel


2. Distance from the tunnel to the shifter


3. Here is the angle finder


4. The crossmember won't even get close to bolting up


This is hard to see but I think it is hitting here


Before I start cutting the tunnel any suggestions?

Thanks Nick

[Mkelcy]

It's pretty hard to tell where it's hanging up from your pictures. Have you cut a hole for shifter access?

[nicks67camaro]

It's pretty hard to tell where it's hanging up from your pictures. Have you cut a hole for shifter access?

its not all the way cut back but I'm about half way. I wanted to not over cut but then this was happening. Its hitting either the top of the t56 or the top of the adapter plate I think.

I'm using stock height solid body mount bushings.

[jpdeuce]

How much drop does the crossmember have? It appears from the photo that its very little.

I did have to cut the front portion of the tunnel to get mine to fit in my Nova.

[nicks67camaro]

How much drop does the crossmember have? It appears from the photo that its very little.

I did have to cut the front portion of the tunnel to get mine to fit in my Nova.

The crossmember doesn't have alot of drop but I think its needs to sit higher so it makes it hard to tell

[Mkelcy]

How much drop does the crossmember have? It appears from the photo that its very little.

I did have to cut the front portion of the tunnel to get mine to fit in my Nova.

I've installed a T56 is my current driver '68 Camaro and in my project '68 Camaro and neither needed to have the tunnel cut. If the tunnel is stock and undamaged, I'd try to figure out what's hitting - T56, bellhousing or adapter plate.

Are you sure the bushings are stock height?

[nicks67camaro]

I'm Running the speed tech performance bushings. Here is where its hitting (better angle)



The ear that is usually machined off is not hitting at all its at the very top of the transmission. I dont' know the past of the car that well (previous owner died) could the floors not be factory? Its supposed to be a factory 3 speed car.

[nicks67camaro]

Ok....Just got off the phone with PATC and Speed tech.

Speedtech are stock height bushing.

The PATC crossmember is desgined not using the adapter plate. So i will need tweek it to work.

When I get home I will scribe a line where it is hitting and massage with my BFH a little.

[kyphur]

what transmission did you have in before?

[nicks67camaro]

It was a BW Super T10.

After getting an extra set of hands I'm going to pull the trans again, use the jack to get the clearance I need (don't want a bunch of hammer dings) And re drill the frame for the new crossmember. I'll try to post pics.

Thanks for the replies.

[kyphur]

Before you do that why don't you get some modeling clay and pat out a few lumps and put them on the places you think you're hitting. Then re-raise the transmission really quick and at the first sign of binding just relower it and see if any of the clay spots have flattened? That way you can atleast tell where you're getting your jam and this will help you decide on your cuts.

I was going to suggest a bowtie overdrive adjustable transmission mount. That's what I'm using but I had a TH400 transmission and this should allow me to use my stock crossmember. That's why I was asking what you had before. It's the same height as the stock transmission mount for the t-56 and it's adjustable 2.5 inches forwards or backwards. The tabs line up perfectly for the t-56 mounting points and the th400 crossmember's points.

[nicks67camaro]

The clay is a good ideal. I was able to get up in there and scribe a line where it was hitting. I am going to try and not cut if I can help it. I think if I use pressure (like the jack) I can use weight of the car to strecht the metal enough. The adjustable mount is neat but I'll still need to mess with the crossmember since it makes contact with the trans in its stock location.

[kyphur]

The clay is a good ideal. I was able to get up in there and scribe a line where it was hitting. I am going to try and not cut if I can help it. I think if I use pressure (like the jack) I can use weight of the car to strecht the metal enough. The adjustable mount is neat but I'll still need to mess with the crossmember since it makes contact with the trans in its stock location.

Were you able to find the spot where it's hitting for sure?

If you have access to some body tools or a strong piece of curved wood and a rubber mallet you can also "softly coerce" the metal how you want it.

With the jack make sure you use something semi-hard like a block of wood and not the jack head itself. You may poke a hole through that sheet metal.

[nicks67camaro]

Were you able to find the spot where it's hitting for sure?

If you have access to some body tools or a strong piece of curved wood and a rubber mallet you can also "softly coerce" the metal how you want it.

With the jack make sure you use something semi-hard like a block of wood and not the jack head itself. You may poke a hole through that sheet metal.

I definately found the spot. I can watch it make contact as its jacked up and down. I was thinking of using a log from my wood pile that is about the size of the tunnel to stretch it a little. If it doesn't work then I'll use a heavy mallet to move it.

[69importkilla]

Not sure how different (if at all) my 69 I had to cut the tunnel up a bit because of the adaptor plate. Not much but some....

[nicks67camaro]

Not sure how different (if at all) my 69 I had to cut the tunnel up a bit because of the adaptor plate. Not much but some....

What adapter plate are you running?

[nicks67camaro]

Whats the best practice for clearance for the trans? 1"? 3"?

Thanks Nick

[Mkelcy]

Whats the best practice for clearance for the trans? 1"? 3"?

Thanks Nick

With good motor and trans mounts, it shouldn't move too much. I'd be satisfied with 0.5" or even less if needed.

[nicks67camaro]

With good motor and trans mounts, it shouldn't move too much. I'd be satisfied with 0.5" or even less if needed.

Okay good....I have a brand new trans mount and the motor mounts are only a couple years old.

Thanks

[nicks67camaro]

ug....can't win with this install.
Old issues
1 Tunnel to low - Solved with jack and some wood.
2. Crossmember to far foward - Solved relocated the upper mounting tabs.

New Issues
x pipe doesn't like the location of hte crossmember - Temp solution BFH

I have some noise coming from the setup.
It is noticeable when the car is at idle and the clutch is out.
it goes away when the clutch is in.

I think I need to adjust the clutch (it grinds just a touch when shifting)
The clutch has about 1.5" of play.

Can that make the throwout bearing jump back and forth?

If I make the clutch adjustment should it go away?

Some searches yeilded possible inputshaft (not likely) or throwout bearing.
I havn't adjusted the clutch yet (just too tired right now) I will adjust tomorrow.