bellhousing development for T-56 trans

Bill Hincher · Post by **Bill Hincher** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 9:21 pm

I just keep working out the details, and trimming and adjusting, its kind of a matter of 'feel' now

because I can work with this structure without causing any damage, I can accuratly place the bolt pattern to where it will go when casted

so I bored out a small space where the bolt pattern is at 2% shrink

and cut some aluminum washers out on the lathe

and welded them in place

after I place the gussets where I want them , then I can mold it all in and have it casted, hopefuly the end of this week

Matt Arruda · Post by **Matt Arruda** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 10:32 pm

its art in the making

dsmpilot · Post by **dsmpilot** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 12:28 pm

Matt Arruda wrote:its art in the making

That's an understatement

Bill Hincher · Post by **Bill Hincher** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 2:33 pm

WHERE IN THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN?????????????????????????

Tony!

you been lurking!

Matt Arruda · Post by **Matt Arruda** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 9:59 am

Hows the casting coming along?

Shearer · Post by **Shearer** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 11:44 am

Got my t56 yesterday.

I am anxious to see a final product.

Bill Hincher · Post by **Bill Hincher** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 8:11 pm

DANM! Ron, your work is OUTSTANDING!

I been working on my W 55 series stuff to get orders out and I put some time into the R 154

I revisited and drew and measured and measured and drew and drew, and I think I am going to use the first gen clutch controls in the T 56 bellhousing to save the cost of the internal set up

I bolted it all up to the trans and I think its abetter idea, if I dont like it , I can always cut it off

Matt Arruda · Post by **Matt Arruda** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 8:16 am

Let me know what style throw out will be used so I can order the necessary GM parts, I'm being proactive in this build already received the Clutch Disc. Competition Clutch was more then happy to make for this this application. If anyone needs one made contact Dan @ Competion Clutch hes a great guy and an active member on this forum currently building a Starion.

Bill Hincher · Post by **Bill Hincher** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 4:00 pm

I am working with an AWL flywheel on this project, it will NOT make any difference in clutch bolt up, but HELL YEAH! I need a disc
I will be using the Toyota w series throw out bearing with a custom bearing holder

I am pretty close, I had to build a tool from a verticle rotary table to finish out , ( I had to buy the vertical rotary table from E bay)I will be posting pic's later tomorow

Matt Arruda · Post by **Matt Arruda** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 9:14 am

Bill PM me your shipping address so I can send you my clutch disc.

Bill Hincher · Post by **Bill Hincher** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 5:07 pm

thanks matt, I went ahead and got a hold of Dan at compition clutch and he is sending me one.

you guys gotta talk to dan@compitionclutch for your needs, he is a good guy

hschwartz3 · Post by **hschwartz3** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 7:10 pm

I agree, spoke to him yesterday about the 240mm flywheel/clutch deal he just introduced on SQC for the 2.6. It was a real treat, coulda talked to him for hours.

dsmpilot · Post by **dsmpilot** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 11:11 pm

Bill Hincher wrote:
WHERE IN THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN?????????????????????????

Tony! you been lurking!

I been visiting from time to time

. I bought a new truck and bike i been playing with, i'll send you some pics

Matt Arruda · Post by **Matt Arruda** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 8:49 am

Any updates ?

Bill Hincher · Post by **Bill Hincher** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 1:00 pm

Hi matt, sorry I am late with a reply , I am building the new R 154 at the same time, I been welding in the gussets and the clutch control arraingements

all the bolt patterns on the inside and the outside have been moved by 2% for shrinkage in the casting

the tubing welded to the outside of the bellhousing will be filled in to create strong ribs to give it strength and some cooling

This housing will use the clutch forkand pivot ball from the first gen Mits

this will use the AWD flywheel to allow me more material in the sidewalls of the bellhousing

Matt Arruda · Post by **Matt Arruda** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 4:19 pm

Daviticus wrote:Is a custom friction disc going to be required when running the AWD flywheel, or will an OEM GM piece fit in place? Great work Bill.

The disc pictured is a custom unit that can be purchased from Dan@competitionclutch.com shoot him an email or give him a call he is aware of the application and more then willing to help us @ a reasonable price. It is a standard mitsu dia. disc with a T56 splined center hub GM discs will not work unless theres a OEM application out there that has 28 spline hub with a 9" disc.

Looks good Bill !

peregrine · Post by **peregrine** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 6:24 pm

looking good bill. been waiting a LONG time for this. ive pretty much made my mind up that im gonna 4G a notch fox with a 6 speed for a sick streetcar. just waiting on you. no pressure though

Bill Hincher · Post by **Bill Hincher** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 7:11 pm

Man I wish I knew that, I would love to get you back into a 4G63 and get outta that domestic ride you got
I fumbled around a lot on the first couple trys but I keep learning on how to build and make this stuff, so I am pretty sure this protype will come out like I have invisioned it. It should not be along wait
But this aint like a job, you know, like put part A into hole C and the job is done, I work a while and think about it and then put it down until I decide my next step and then work a while on it and then change stuff
its just a square box that connects the engine to the trans, but I keep trying to anticipate the stresses it will undergo

Gentleman Rogue · Post by **Gentleman Rogue** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 10:13 pm

ok, so im confused now. now to run the narrowblock to T56, i'll have to run an AWD flywheel and starter? or can i keep my FWD flywheel?

Shearer · Post by **Shearer** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 10:54 pm

I think Bll made the switch to an AWD flywheel after several people suggested it. Looking at it from a business perspective it is smarter and will probably allow for a stronger bell housing as well.

Bill,
I wish I had more free time on my hands to help you with this. This would be a very simple job to have the trans & block CMM'd for the bolt pattern and work up a quick 3d layout of the clutch and trans assembly. Would make for some nifty and probably overkill FEA as well.

Matt Arruda · Post by **Matt Arruda** » Thu Feb 05, 2009 8:59 am

peregrine wrote:looking good bill. been waiting a LONG time for this. ive pretty much made my mind up that im gonna 4G a notch fox with a 6 speed for a sick streetcar. just waiting on you. no pressure though

Bill works good under pressure LOL

Bill Hincher · Post by **Bill Hincher** » Thu Feb 05, 2009 9:16 am

Shearer wrote: This would be a very simple job to have the trans & block CMM'd for the bolt pattern and work up a quick 3d layout of the clutch and trans assembly. Would make for some nifty and probably overkill FEA as well.

I dont really follow you Searer ( I am from Toledo, you know) >;o)

Shearer · Post by **Shearer** » Thu Feb 05, 2009 10:18 am

I'm an ex-computer modeling guru. It wouldn't be that hard to design this up in a 3d enviroment using Solidworks or Pro/E. And have a virtual 3d layout of the parts you are developing. Once they're drawn up doing stress analysis on the components wouldn't be too difficult either.

Just a different way of getting to the same end product.

peregrine · Post by **peregrine** » Thu Feb 05, 2009 12:29 pm

oh man, shearer is on this board now? were movin up in the world

Matt Arruda · Post by **Matt Arruda** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 12:29 pm

Weekly bump ! Progress?? Please say yes LOL

Bill Hincher · Post by **Bill Hincher** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 5:05 pm

I am done with the T 56 basic pattern, but I just keep sanding and adjusting it. I gotta get two more GM adaptors out too

I got a hold of a local machine shop to help me with the daily orders , but I have to draw everything in detail to have them machine out my castings

peregrine · Post by **peregrine** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 5:41 pm

Bill Hincher wrote:I am done with the T 56 basic pattern, but I just keep sanding and adjusting it. I gotta get two more GM adaptors out too

I got a hold of a local machine shop to help me with the daily orders , but I have to draw everything in detail to have them machine out my castings

i found a 4 banger 88 notchback today sitting in someones yard. i might go make an offer on it when i get my tax money.

Matt Arruda · Post by **Matt Arruda** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 10:32 am

Bump for the weekly update

Bill Hincher · Post by **Bill Hincher** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 11:20 am

I promised Cali to have his intake done and I sold some bellhousings for the W 55 to some customers that ordered the wrong housing for the R154 so I had to get that in the r 154 casting before I could finish the T 56 , I am not that far away from it , I am just overloaded >;o(

jezz_s13 · Post by **jezz_s13** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 11:27 am

Bill Hincher wrote:I promised Cali to have his intake done and I sold some bellhousings for the W 55 to some customers that ordered the wrong housing for the R154 so I had to get that in the r 154 casting before I could finish the T 56 , I am not that far away from it , I am just overloaded >;o(

I man of your calibre would have sussed a way to clone himself, you'd have thought.

cali · Post by **cali** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 5:28 pm

Bill Hincher wrote:I promised Cali to have his intake done and I sold some bellhousings for the W 55 to some customers that ordered the wrong housing for the R154 so I had to get that in the r 154 casting before I could finish the T 56 , I am not that far away from it , I am just overloaded >;o(

hey no worries bill if you need a bit more time it's fine by me...

but i am starting to itch for it though.

Bill Hincher · Post by **Bill Hincher** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 8:24 pm

This is Matt arrada's update >;o)

while the R 154 is getting cast I am racing to finish out the T 56 and get that casted as soon as the R 154's are ready

everything was thined down to its minimum limit to get it as light as possible and the guides are put in to fit the ribs

in order to maximize strength and keep the wieght off , the lower trans mount bolts are gusseted

you can just make out the ribs are filled in

the outer gussets is timed to the inner gussets to maximize strength to the lower trans bolt

this is about as odd a shape as you can get in a bellhousing!

Matt Arruda · Post by **Matt Arruda** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 11:08 pm

Looks Great Bill let me know if you need anything

Bill Hincher · Post by **Bill Hincher** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 1:07 pm

I just keep adding material and sanding, taking shape

Bill Hincher · Post by **Bill Hincher** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 11:07 am

Matt Arruda update,
I had planned on having this in casting by the time I got the R 154's back, I am very close, so I will finish this pattern and get it into casting today and then prove out the R 154s, it should all happen this week

Matt Arruda · Post by **Matt Arruda** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 1:38 pm

Great to hear Bill, I really appriciate your diligence on this, I cant wait to see the finish product.

Bill Hincher · Post by **Bill Hincher** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 12:04 pm

Gentleman Rogue · Post by **Gentleman Rogue** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 11:32 pm

looking good!

how many castings in the first batch? are they all sold already?

Bill Hincher · Post by **Bill Hincher** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 9:58 am

I will probaby order 10 units, and then figure out how I will work with the LS 1 model

Matt Arruda · Post by **Matt Arruda** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 1:14 pm

Bill my memory is shot did we ever decide which T56 model, the bell housing will be designed for LS1 T56 (long input) or LT1 T56 (short input)? I guess a spacer is all that whould needed to accomidate anyone who purchased a LS1 T65 if in fact you are designing the bell around the LT1.

Thanks in advance Matt

Bill Hincher · Post by **Bill Hincher** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 10:28 am

yeah matt, I am going to build a spacer and send it to you with this first bellhousing, then you can help me out with the adjustment I need to make and I can build a second pattern for the extra length, but in the mean time the spacer should work fine, i fugure a1/2in but I would preffer not to have to cut up a 1/2 plate everytime somebody ordered the longer version

Matt Arruda · Post by **Matt Arruda** » Thu Apr 02, 2009 1:59 pm

Any housings back from casting yet?

Bill Hincher · Post by **Bill Hincher** » Fri Apr 03, 2009 10:46 am

the pattern is in casting, i am just waiting to pick them up, I ordered 10 units, the casting shop is having trouble because GM and chrysler were thier big supporters

dsmpilot · Post by **dsmpilot** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 9:14 pm

Bill Hincher wrote:the pattern is in casting, i am just waiting to pick them up, I ordered 10 units, the casting shop is having trouble because GM and chrysler were thier big supporters

Then they should appreciate the business

Bill Hincher · Post by **Bill Hincher** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 9:38 pm

I should have them back soon, two weeks is thier average, I been cutting all the R 154's while I wait

Bill Hincher · Post by **Bill Hincher** » Wed Apr 15, 2009 12:07 pm

the T56 castings are casted, I went down to the casting shop and looked themover, they worked out great,now they are heat treated and shot peened in an oven to bring up the strength

I will have them Friday

Matt Arruda · Post by **Matt Arruda** » Wed Apr 15, 2009 12:55 pm

You just made my day Bill, keep us posted on the progress and let me know when you need some $.

Gentleman Rogue · Post by **Gentleman Rogue** » Wed Apr 15, 2009 5:34 pm

Matt Arruda wrote:You just made my day Bill, keep us posted on the progress and let me know when you need some $.

x2.

Bill Hincher · Post by **Bill Hincher** » Sat Apr 18, 2009 12:41 pm

these T 56's have to be machined and proved out yet

they are heat treated to a t 6 hardness

these are T 56's on the left, R 154's in the center and W 55's on the right

I didnt want you guys to think I was relaxin' >;o)

Matt Arruda · Post by **Matt Arruda** » Sat Apr 18, 2009 11:01 pm

Looks Great Bill,

I may take 2 of these, my current project gauged alot of interest amongst freinds. So today a Miata showed up. Once we take the motor out I will confirm the trans tunnel width and determin if we are gona go the R154 or T56 route.

Keep building them and I will continue to help you sell them.