mind

Used the new Miller 165 diverter tig AC/DC welder with staight argon gas. This welder works great for aluminum up to 3/16ths thick. It has the power control on the tig handle.
Next, need to work on making a transmission cover out of aluminum + move back the E-brake mount to clear stick shift area.

Looking good Calvin. And yes, with over 7000 views,your thread should be a sticky. Alot of people on this planet look forward to news from you. It is, of course, a good exchange of ideas and sugestions.
May I add, to you Calvin, and anyone else considering the T56 transmission, don't forget to allow for the extra width of the "reverse lockout solenoid" on this unit. I had to go back into my custom transmission tunnel and refabricate it to give me more clearance for the seat. The seat would have fit without but it wouldn't have been able to slide forward.

mind

I'm glad you chimed in about that reverse lockout solenoid Ken.
My Ls1 neighbor across the street here was telling me just to take it out for more room. Well that being said by him, I said "no it would be just my luck I would stuff it in reverse and blow the whole drive train out". I have read several places that people will do this in their swaps. Well what happens when you let someone else drive your car, not knowing about it being removed, and disaster ends your nice day. So I vote to leave it in, even if it is in the way some.
This photo shows the Aluminum 12.5 lbs Fidanza flywheel installed after cleaning all the clutch dust off the block.(Notice the removable steel surface on the flywheel that can be changed out). The pilot shaft bearing outer race that is pressed in the end of the crankshaft, is on the wood (Left side low in photo).I had to use a air body saw to cut a slot in, then was easier to pull out.


Cleaned up the bell housing from clutch dust and installed a new slave cylinder/ throwout bearing. GM T56 transmissions started having slave cylinders inside the bell housing I believe in 1998, in F-bodied cars. A quick diconnect for hydraulic fluid on the red cap and the bleeder bolt is above on top. I will make an access hole in my transmisson cover to bleed the clutch. That way 1 person can bleed the clutch.

mind

Spec stage 2 + all installed ready to mate up the T56.


Engine installed again to check for clearances with accessories steering shaft and passenger side header.

mind

Alternator is good to go.


Ac compressor needs more clearance for the cover and ears on the side. I was not happy anyway with this inner fender work so it was OK with me to re-do.

mind

First 2 photos show how close the steering shaft is to the coil pack and footwell box.
This photo is looking up shaft towards the firewall.


This photo is taken looking down on shaft


Stll need to relieve a little more of the body here for the double u-joint.

mind

This part of the shaft and heim support is good to go. The heim support and the tower crossmember all fits fine.



Re: Calvin Grannis' 1974 TR6 with LS1 (project diary)
Posted by: 74ls1tr6
Date: December 07, 2008 05:41PM
Compressor needs more room.


Passenger header needs more room.

mind

So trying to get all clearance issues handled one last time. Then body goes back on rotisserie for adjustments again.
Radiator bottom brackets finished along with frame extention. I have a smaller condensor than the Camaro one that will fit better. Just need to make brackets for it. The 45 degree angle black line on the body mount I already cut off for radiator clearance.


This is Kens photo of his T56 transmission placement. Going by the 2 stress bends on the floor boards in reference to the reverse lockout solenoid position, Kens and my T56 placement is very close to the same placement.


This photo shows the same placement for reference for this swap. Sent this photo to Alan, and the ones below also.


Another veiw.

mind

This photo shows just how far the solenoid does stick out.


Note* The T56 placement where Ken and I have, put's the T56 shifter 8 1/2 " back from the stock position, and give +/- 1/4" or so.

This photo shows the firewall bracket that was made out of aluminum for the air conditioning evaporator mount. Used 2 original firewall mounting bolt holes on the outside bolts(bent aluminum plate), and the one in the center was drilled and taped for mounting evaporator. The five holes under the plate will be filled in. They will not be used.
You can also see the red factory primer used here along the body seams. Used a putty knife to remove the old tar substance from the factory that sealed up the body seams. Used sprits solvent cleaner with rag and wipe down all the seams to get the rest of the tar sealer off. Will use modern seam sealer and re- seal all body seams.


This aluminum bracket will be the front mount for the evaporator. Used anlge aluminum, drilled hole and bolted to the under dash(original heater mounting hole on driver side), drilled and taped for evaporator mount. The large hole will be blocked off for the original vent hole with a plate and self tapping screws(will seal off well, no leaking allowed here).

mind

This photo shows passenger side inner fender where the hood rod bracket was (bracket holds up engine compartment hood). Used sawsall to cut off old bracket and smoothed out for new one to be welded on. Somewhere in an ealier posting a photo shows this bracket was ripped upward, was rusting from a front end hit from someone that had this car before me.


New hood bracket sitting on inner fender. The factory brazed this bracket on. Also it looks like the force of the impact ran something into the brace with the hole in it (where the yellow paint is missing and showing rust, about 4" to the right of the black bracket in photo), on the inner vertical panel.


Another veiw of hood latch placement before welding.

mind

Next 3 photos, it's welded on and cleaned up with small cutting wheel using a Dremel tool.
Need to drill small hole for screw that holds the rubber back block for the long rod stay to ride accross when closing the hood.




Can bend this thin metal by hand to look more square, in the end results I did.