The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline 6 speed T56 in AD trucks

Has anyone installed a T56 in there truck? If so what brand did you use? Mechanical or electric speedometer ?

Allstate Gear http://www.allstategear.com/index.htm in San Antonio knows a lot about the T56. They can probably help you.

crenwelge
Thank you for the info I will save it .I was asked to put a T56 in a 1950 3100 and would like to see a truck that had this already to see how everything lines up.I did a mock up of it on a frame and cab today looks like it will work but seeing one completed might save me some time .Thanks again

Just a thought....you didn't mention which engine you were bolting the T56 onto but you might want to ask a T56 specialist about the motor and transmission mounts.

I've used the t5's behind the 235 with a front and 2 bellhousing mounts and have run the box both with and without a rear cross member. When I ran the normal 3 point motor/bell mounts the T5 was free to move as the frame flexed. With the rear transmission mount added (the 4th mounting point) I noticed that there was a binding effect as the frame flexed. The T56 is even longer than the T5 and was intended to have a rear mount (the third mounting point in a conventional engine/transmission setup).

If you're putting this behind a V8 the mounts would be conventional 3 point and it would be a non-issue. However, if behind a 235/261 you might be putting a bunch of stress on the transmission case if you used the rear T56 mount. Hopefully your transmission information source can eliminate any potential issues.

Dave

there is only one brand of T56 http://www.ttcautomotive.com/ The T stands for Tremec (formerly BWA) which is now Transmission Technologies Corp. there are many VARs (Value Added Resellers) that offer installation kits that includes brackets, clutches, etc., however the transmission is still manufactured by TTC. TTC then sells the transmissions to the OEMs and aftermarket

the question on electric (VSS) vs mechanical on the speedometer output will be answered by a few questions:
New trans or salvage yard find?
stock gauges or electric speedomter?
Carb or EFI requiring a VSS?

if you are buying a new trans, then you can purchase the aftermarket/retro - custom version of T-56 originally marketed only thru Sallee Chevrolet for use in 3rd generation F-bodies and street rods. this has the mechanical speedometer output version with slight changes in the case. http://www.sallee-chevrolet.com/BorgWarner/bwt56.cfm , otherwise the standard offering and all factory installed T56's have a VSS installed. if your running factory gauges, then a mechanical speedometer output is suggested. if your running aftermarket gauges, most are now electronic requiring a VSS. and if you are running EFI, then you require a VSS

now on to mounting. as Dave mentions, you need to mount it properly. the T56 is too long and heavy to cantilever if you are mounting behind a 235 with an adapter. doing so will put too much of a moment strain on the trans to bell housing joint and parts will break. if you are mounting it behind a V8, then you will need the trans mount and side engine mounts (common 3-point isolation mount)

The T56 is larger than the T5 or original 3 or 4 speed. so a bit of interference may be encountered. I know when installing a T56 into a few projects the transmission tunnel needed to be "adjusted" with a variety of hammers and some lines and wiring needed to be re-routed.

If you are installing a salvage yard find, have the 3/4 shift fork updated when the trans is out, and replace all the nylon sliders. that is a known failure point on the early transmissions.

I was kinda wondering the same thing. A few guys on the web have been installing them into late model full and mid size pickups. The shifter is going to be about 30" back from the bellhousing. They do have a few aftermarket shifters but not sure if it is something that can be made to fit with a bench seat.

I think these people can provide the T56 modified for a forward shifter position. When I was looking to buy a manual trans for my truck, I found that the stock T56 came with the the shifter a very long way back from the bellhousing.

Stuart.

My brother installed a T56 behind his 350 in a 1966 Chevy pickup. The shifter comes through the front of the bench seat. (He took out the bench and installed some buckets, so no problem) The is the main issue there. It has an integrated bell housing with the GM standard bolt pattern, if I am not mistaken.