Rep Power: 753

I put an LT1-style T56 in my 80 behind the old-school SBC. I got the retrofit flywheel from SPEC and the 3+ clutch and pp. I'm using the factory LT1 hydraulic linkage.

My first test drive with it (1-2 mi) I babied the hell out of it because it was running open headers on the street. Seemed ok, so I welded up an exhaust for it and now after another mile or two it wont go in gear. It makes noise when the pedal is in all the way to about halfway through the throw, maybe more.

It wont go in gear when running, it lugs the engine but doesnt grind. I pulled the linkage out at the trans and the clutch fork etc all looks good.

I'm lost.

Any ideas?

 
Rep Power: 778

I wish I could help ya man. Im not much of a tranny guru.

 
Rep Power: 930

Yea im not that educated on the trannys I did change a few but dont know much on the mechanics of it. Maybe you have the wrong linkage or somethin since its not allowing it to engage into gear.

 
Rep Power: 917

sounds like a problem with the slave cylinder or master cylinder. id put money on it that our shifter and trans is fine. inspect the linkage and clutch setup.good luck.

 
Rep Power: 753

Found the problem... pulled the trans out and the clutch fork was rubbing on the pressure plate. After a quick google search I found out it's a pretty common problem. I should be fine after I clearance the t-stud and the fork.

Wish me luck.... haha

 
Rep Power: 0

Good luck bro.
I hope it all goes smooth for you.

 
Rep Power: 745

Good Luck! I never tried to figure out anything tranny related, to many parts, to complicated, and most of all, I dont have the patience, lol.

 
Rep Power: 753

Got it fixed. For a short while....

I milled .125" off the t-stud and took the angle grinder to the fork and now it is MUCH better. Shifts great, everything works very well. I drove it a few more miles and got through all the gears finally. Everything is good.

I just broke it again though tonight. My mini-starter doesnt like to work well when the headers have heated it, I need to make a little shield for it. So, it wouldnt start after I stopped at the gas station to pump up the tires. Screw it, I'll pop start it right? Wrong...... bent the clutch hydraulics rod again and it snapped in half when I tried to bend it back. So I pulled that out tonight and hopefully I can sleeve it somehow tomorrow at work.

 
Rep Power: 817

wow looks nice there and good luck gettin it fixed again at least you know what's wrong now

 
Rep Power: 753

Took the hydraulics apart to see how it works and decided to make a solid steel pedal rod. From the factory there is a solid aluminum rod inside a steel sleeve that is pressed together. The aluminum part snapped, so I drilled out the rest and my supervisor at work turned a new steel rod on the lathe and I slid it in and welded it up.

 
Rep Power: 778

You have a lathe? You lucky sumbitch.

 
Rep Power: 817

wow you much have a cool guy to work with sweet

 
Rep Power: 870

wow your not havin very good luck are you? haha at least you know what your doing and you can fix it. good luck with it all. your car is gonna be awesome when your done. wanna put a 6 speed in my car for me?