Issues with t-56 getting stuck

[69greyghost]

Hey guys, I have a t-56 installed in my 69 camaro. The car has an ls1, the trans is a regular non-moded trans. I have the b&m short throw shifter and a luk clutch. Recently my trans became stuck, while backing in to my storage unit, the stick would move and the clutch would press but the car was still in reverse. My buddy said either my trans was going or my shifter needed maintenance. After jostling the shifter for a sec it freed up and drove normal again. He drove it around the block and suggested I may just need to ad fluid, he said it felt dry when he shifter. My next step is to try and fill the trans with more fluid and see what that does. I have never heard of anything like this previously and am praying my trans isnt bad. Another friend of mines suggests it may be the clutch master, what do you guys think, any advice? Any and all help will be greatly appreciated.

[badazz81z28]

Hey guys, I have a t-56 installed in my 69 camaro. The car has an ls1, the trans is a regular non-moded trans. I have the b&m short throw shifter and a luk clutch. Recently my trans became stuck, while backing in to my storage unit, the stick would move and the clutch would press but the car was still in reverse. My buddy said either my trans was going or my shifter needed maintenance. After jostling the shifter for a sec it freed up and drove normal again. He drove it around the block and suggested I may just need to ad fluid, he said it felt dry when he shifter. My next step is to try and fill the trans with more fluid and see what that does. I have never heard of anything like this previously and am praying my trans isnt bad. Another friend of mines suggests it may be the clutch master, what do you guys think, any advice? Any and all help will be greatly appreciated.


Obviously the easiest way to check and see if the clutch is working is park it on a hill with it in gear and press the pedal. You start rolling, the clutch is releasing. One gear wouldn't support a clutch problem either. How does it shift when not running? Don't over fill it with fluid

Getting it out of gear wouldn't be a shifter problem. Possibly a bent shift fork would. Is it an OEM transmission or a Magnum?

[Z06vette]

Could be related to reverse lockout. Seen them do some weird things when they go bad.

[69greyghost]

Obviously the easiest way to check and see if the clutch is working is park it on a hill with it in gear and press the pedal. You start rolling, the clutch is releasing. One gear wouldn't support a clutch problem either. How does it shift when not running? Don't over fill it with fluid

Getting it out of gear wouldn't be a shifter problem. Possibly a bent shift fork would. Is it an OEM transmission or a Magnum?

It's a regular trans with low miles. When it's not stuck it shifts fine. While the trans was stuck it would not roll unless you press the clutch. If the clutch was pressed then it would roll as if it were in neutral. Since it became unstuck it performs like the trans is normal. I'm really confused.



Could be related to reverse lockout. Seen them do some weird things when they go bad.


Excuse my ignorance but what's the reverse lock out anyway?

[Vince@Meanstreets]

It's a regular trans with low miles. When it's not stuck it shifts fine. While the trans was stuck it would not roll unless you press the clutch. If the clutch was pressed then it would roll as if it were in neutral. Since it became unstuck it performs like the trans is normal. I'm really confused.

is this your 69?





Excuse my ignorance but what's the reverse lock out anyway?

Theres a solinoid on the trans that prevents you from going into when on the freeway or....
it can act up if not hooked up. should be on a switch.

Theres a roll pin and a snap ring on the reverse shift section that can cause issues too.

[69greyghost]

Theres a solinoid on the trans that prevents you from going into when on the freeway or....
it can act up if not hooked up. should be on a switch.

Theres a roll pin and a snap ring on the reverse shift section that can cause issues too.




So Vince am I looking at a trans rebuild? If so whats the range of a rebuild cost?

[Vince@Meanstreets]

So Vince am I looking at a trans rebuild? If so whats the range of a rebuild cost?

You would have to get it inspected to see if you need it. Could be just a repair.

[69greyghost]

You would have to get it inspected to see if you need it. Could be just a repair.

Vince your really helpful, I know I'm asking a lot of questions. Do you know anyone that could repair it or inspect it? Thanks in advance Vince!

[carkrazy1987]

Im not familiar with the shifter in question, but qre their adjustments on the shifter? If may have over travelled and jammed a fork. I know in my lt1 powered camaro it had done that to me once in 1st gear leaving a light. I pulled hard and un jammed it and never happened again.

[69greyghost]

Im not familiar with the shifter in question, but qre their adjustments on the shifter? If may have over travelled and jammed a fork. I know in my lt1 powered camaro it had done that to me once in 1st gear leaving a light. I pulled hard and un jammed it and never happened again.


The shifter hasn't been adjusted to my knowledge. I talked to a local gear shop and he suggested I may be missing a bushing that goes between the shifter and the trans. This weekend I'm gonna pull the top off and see if it's missing he said that could cause issues with the shifter weirding out like that.

[gnx7]

How much slop does the shifter have?
As people have stated.... is the bushing (in the shifter cup) worn out?

Reverse lockout solenoid issues simply makes it hard to put into reverse.... 2 hands needed

Skip Shift solenoid issues (stuck) makes the trans not want to go into 2nd/3rd.

You don't need a rebuild I'm guessing. It's the shifter.

IMO the B&M is kind of a POS. Get the MGW and you will be more than impressed with the shifting improvement (smoothness).

[69greyghost]

How much slop does the shifter have?
As people have stated.... is the bushing (in the shifter cup) worn out?

Reverse lockout solenoid issues simply makes it hard to put into reverse.... 2 hands needed

Skip Shift solenoid issues (stuck) makes the trans not want to go into 2nd/3rd.

You don't need a rebuild I'm guessing. It's the shifter.

IMO the B&M is kind of a POS. Get the MGW and you will be more than impressed with the shifting improvement (smoothness).



The shifter has significant play. I am thinking its the shifter because Pete ata Petes gear shop (a well respected shop in my area) and several other people say it just sounds weird and not normal. I am checking the cup bushing this weekend so I will keep you guys posted. I wanted the mega shifter or the black jack shifter anyway but couldnt find them for the right price.

[Vince@Meanstreets]

The shifter has significant play. I am thinking its the shifter because Pete ata Petes gear shop (a well respected shop in my area) and several other people say it just sounds weird and not normal. I am checking the cup bushing this weekend so I will keep you guys posted. I wanted the mega shifter or the black jack shifter anyway but couldnt find them for the right price.

just to let you know, Mark is my go to guy. :thankyou:

[69greyghost]

just to let you know, Mark is my go to guy. :thankyou:



Thanks Vince, I have known Mark was a big t56 guy for a while. Hes very active on the forum too. Thanks for the help Vince!

[69greyghost]

Ok so I took it to the local gear shop and they drove it and looked at the car. I have been advised to rebuild the trans. I trust his word, just sucks I gotta come outta pocket.

[Vince@Meanstreets]

Ok so I took it to the local gear shop and they drove it and looked at the car. I have been advised to rebuild the trans. I trust his word, just sucks I gotta come outta pocket.

did they give you a quote yet? If you gotta throw more money at it i'd swing for a Magnum and sell your old one. Cores are still good money.

[69greyghost]

did they give you a quote yet? If you gotta throw more money at it i'd swing for a Magnum and sell your old one. Cores are still good money.



Yeah, he said 1000 for the rebuild including steel forks. If I could get a magnum for 2500 or so I would do it but 3300 is just to rich for my blood. I don't think I really need a magnum anyway, I'm only around 400hp of that. It would be uber cool tho. Maybe a member on here has one they don't want and hasn't used?

[69greyghost]

I asked Chris what my old t56 was worth and he said 600-800. At that price it just makes sense to roll with the rebuilt t56 until I can afford to go magnum. Who knows. Maybe. I will end up selling this entire drivetrain once it's together. Then at that point I would go magnum fresh out the gate.

[Black93GT]

I'm not a transmission expert by any means but a rebuild sounds like the right path.

In a camaro I had for a year there was a pro5.0 shifter in the t56. The previous owner removed or lost the shifter bushing. There was more shifter slop than an old farm truck. It was tough to find the shift gates but gear disengagement was always smooth.

Since your issue is more intermittent I'd expect to find something odd with a shift fork or metal floating around/damaged teeth causing your issues.

Let us know what the problem turns out to be

[69greyghost]

I'm not a transmission expert by any means but a rebuild sounds like the right path.

In a camaro I had for a year there was a pro5.0 shifter in the t56. The previous owner removed or lost the shifter bushing. There was more shifter slop than an old farm truck. It was tough to find the shift gates but gear disengagement was always smooth.

Since your issue is more intermittent I'd expect to find something odd with a shift fork or metal floating around/damaged teeth causing your issues.

Let us know what the problem turns out to be



According to the trans guy the reverse sylinoud was deleted, the snap ring that holds the reverse fork on the shaft was damaged badly and the first and second slider was beat pretty badly. Also it had all stock syncros. I know I misspelled those two words, sue me, you guys know what I mean. I have it back now from the rebuild, the case was painted it drives way smoother now. Had a good day of driving, now for the tune.

[Che70velle]

According to the trans guy the reverse sylinoud was deleted, the snap ring that holds the reverse fork on the shaft was damaged badly and the first and second slider was beat pretty badly. Also it had all stock syncros. I know I misspelled those two words, sue me, you guys know what I mean. I have it back now from the rebuild, the case was painted it drives way smoother now. Had a good day of driving, now for the tune.

Who rebuilt this for you? Did you go back stock, or choose to upgrade while in there? Glad to hear that it works well!