Transmission Install

Time to install the clutch/flywheel assembly but first I need to install the pilot bearing. Since this engine was originally used with an automatic transmission, there was no pilot bearing present which made things a little easier.


All that needed to be done was insert the new bearing into the crankshaft. I made sure I had the right part for my app since there two styles used by GM. I'm using a T56 from a 02 Camaro so that used the smaller of the two bearings available from GM.


After a few taps from a hammer and a piece of wood, bearing installed.


I decided to use the LS7 clutch/flywheel setup from GM. If it can handle the 505hp of a Z06 Vette, I figured it should be strong enough for my set up.



Next up was mounting the transmission to the engine. Sounds easy but we fought with this for a couple of hours. Problem we had was lining everything up perfectly, splines on the trans and clutch, engine in line with trans, and pilot bearing inline with input shaft. When I first torqued the clutch assembly, the clutch must have moved slightly offline, even with the alignment tool. I disassembled the clutch from the engine and re-installed it being careful of the clutch disc's placement. That did it and the transmission went on.


We then did a trial fit of the engine/transmission in the car. We lifted up the front of the car and rolled the engine in underneath. Worked like a charm!


It fits!


Next up: Wire up the engine harness, mount accessories, and install exhaust headers.

Transmission Oops

So it is time to mate up the 6 speed transmission to the engine but before that I wanted to clean it up a bit an install a new slave cylinder.


Cleaned up well.


So when I removed the old slave cylinder, seen above, and tried to install the new one, the upper bolt hole strips threads the instant I put pressure on it. Crap. Considering how little pressure I used, I think the threads were already damaged and I just finished it off.



You can see the damage in the two pics above.

So now what? Now I need to repair that threaded hole. I used a Helicoil thread repair kit. It uses coil inserts to replace the stripped threads.



First the hole to be repaired is drilled out:



Then the drilled hole is threaded with the supplied tap from the kit:



Using the tool that comes with the repair kit, a coil insert is then installed. In theory the repaired hole is now stronger than the soft threaded aluminum that it replaced.



New slave cylinder installed:



Next task, mate the transmission to the engine.

Transmission found

Finally found and bought a used T-56 6 speed transmission for sale locally this past weekend. Discovered it for sale on the LS1Tech.com forum. Previous owner was doing a auto transmission conversion on his 2002 Camaro Z28 and needed to sell the manual trans.
Looks and shifts ok but won't know for sure until everything is together. Keeping my fingers crossed.

I plan on cleaning it up this weekend and doing some other general house cleaning in the garage.

After the first of the year, after some bills have been paid, the hunt begins for an engine!
Argh this build is taking forever, I need to win the lottery!