Need a recommendation for Clutch and Transmission shop

[LHirshman]

I have just read the many posts about DMF and Throwout Bearings noises and sounds (pun intended) like I need a new Throwout bearing and Flywheel.

Could any of you recommend a shop in Central New York (Elmira, Ithaca, Binghamton) or Northeastern Pennsylvania/Northern New Jersey, that can perform the job while paying attention to details.

Your recommendations will be appreciated.

 

[Wertles]

While not exactly close to Elmira etc, Brockport transmission in Rochester, NY did a great job rebuilding my auto. He has done a boatload of both auto and standard clutches on ram trucks. PM me if you are interested or need details.

 

[jelag]

Gary with Perfection Hy-Test had a very good article in one of the magazines about changing out the stock system and replacing it with a solid flywheel and clutch kit... . When I was in business I sold several of these kits to customers and found the kit to be a great product... . I'd suggest you consider looking for that past issue. . He also has a great u-tube video on the changing of the clutch... its an exceptional video...

Gary's a TDR member and post often...

Good luck...

 

[LHirshman]

Thank you Wertles for the recommendation. Google maps puts Brockport Transmission 2 hours from my house. It is worth considering.
I am also thinking about doing the job myself. Harbor Freight tools has two, low rise transmission jacks, at an inexpensive price. Does anyone
have any feedback on those or can recommend a low rise floor jack. I do not need a professional model since I don't expect to do this job again.
Thank you all for your help.

 

[rscurtis]

I wouldn't recommend using a bargain-basement jack on such a heavy transmission- there is too much potential for things to go wrong. Find a local rental store and rent the real deal.

 

[Motorhead]

I tried doing mine in the driveway... . I got it out. I took it to a friends transmission shop and had him put in the clutch and re-install the trans and transfer case. NEVER AGAIN! Have you picked a clutch yet?

 

[cerberusiam]

Harbor Freight tools has two, low rise transmission jacks, at an inexpensive price. Does anyone
have any feedback on those or can recommend a low rise floor jack.

I have one from Harbor Freight. Done a bunch of transmissions, tcases, rear diffs, etc with it. No problems in the 5 years I have had it.

 

[RVTRKN]

Do your homework, and make sure the trans is fully inspected, because when its finished you'll be wondering if something went wrong in the trans, because its going to be noisy. If you don't want noise, consider replacing the DMF with a DMF. My choice was the SBC kit, look at sig. Also, you might want to send a PM to CKelley1 and see if he is willing to give you advise, he was instrumental in all of my choices for my conversion to the SMF.

 

[BDaugherty]

i've used my 2000lb rated harbor freight trans jack on big 18 speeds and while it isn't as good as say an otc brand, i haven't had any issues or felt unsafe. before i bought mine, i used a friend's 800lb hf trans jack to pull my nv5600 and it worked fine.

 

[LHirshman]

Thank you all for your assistance. There is an equipment rental in Corning that has a 1750LB transmission jack for $25 a day. I found a post by CKelly1 with pictures on a G56 removal and SBC replacement. It seems rather straight forward. I used to replace the clutch on a 1981 Chevette Diesel on a yearly basis ( 5 times) about 25 years ago so I am not new to this, just bigger transmission and a bit older body. I will be using the SBC G56-OK, since my truck is stock except for some timing advance via a programmer.

 

[RVTRKN]

Are you going to the solid flywheel?

 

[LHirshman]

Yes, the G56-OK kit has a SM flywheel, single disk clutch, pressure plate, new throw-out and pilot bearings and new hydraulics. I don't tow anything so I don't think I need a dual disk setup.

 

[NIsaacs]

Last month I installed the G56-OK-HD in an '09 3500 Cab/Chassis, the supplied pressure plate mounting bolts are junky, use the oem ones.



Nick

 

[LHirshman]

Nick,
What about the bolts to mount the flywheel to the crankshaft?

 

[NIsaacs]

Nick,

What about the bolts to mount the flywheel to the crankshaft?

They are fine, high quality bolts and are longer than the DMF oem, so yes, use the supplied ones.



Nick

 

[RVTRKN]

Yes, the G56-OK kit has a SM flywheel, single disk clutch, pressure plate, new throw-out and pilot bearings and new hydraulics. I don't tow anything so I don't think I need a dual disk setup.

Be prepared for a noisy transmission, and I strongly recommend you have it inspected. My G56 only had 45K miles on it, and Richard from Standard Transmission went through it and found the bearings were browned and replaced them, mainly because I never over filled it by one quart. If you read the SBC solid mass flywheel instructions, Richard Poels is one of the authors of that, and is the same person who went through mine. With new bearings and 1qt over full as recommended by Richard, as well as most high mileage owners, I just had to get used to the noise. Good luck with your conversion, I'll be looking forward to reading your future posts.

 

[LHirshman]

If I could find someone who knew how to inspect a G56 I would have them do the conversion as well. Hence the reason I am going to tackle this myself. I assume the browned bearings you wrote about were on the input shaft? If you know of posts or some other knowledge base on how to replace the input shaft bearings and replace the seal, that information would be appreciated.

 

[RVTRKN]

All bearings were browned, the reason I was told, was because the OEM recommended oil level is a quart to low. The most important issue to look for is the input shaft play. I had the same issue with an expert in my area, I found out that Richard from Standard Transmission branched out to Tucson Az which is an 8 hr drive for me. So I drove in, flew out and back a week later and drove home. I'm sure if you were to call Richard he would give you good advise or look up an old TDR mag, issue? Where he highlights most issues to look for. Also go with the lube concocted by CKelley1, and not ATF+ or Pennzoil Synchromesh, I originally put Mobil Trans SHC DC oil but was unhappy with it so 600 miles later went with CKelley1 concoction, I very happy with it.

 

[LHirshman]

RVTRKN, I read on page 7 of the, G56 gear fluid, thread that you obtained the CKelly1 concoction. What brand did you use? Amsoil has a 5-30W synchromesh but their SAE 50 is in 5 gallon pails. Royal Purple has a synchromesh but no details about its viscosity. Thank you.

 

[RVTRKN]

Royal Purple SYNCHROMAX - MANUAL TRANSMISSION FLUID and Mobil Delvac™ Synthetic Transmission Fluid 50
Royal Purple doesn't give the viscosity but its thin.