65 Barracuda w/500ci RB, Stage VI Max Wedge Port Heads, 6-speed, and 5.38 Dana

Wow, it has been a long time since I did anything with this post or the Barracuda. I didn't want to start cutting the car for attempting the T56 install until I verified I had an executable plan for the mechanical clutch. I think I'm at a point now where I'm ready to start cutting.

I measured everything out and found out my original plan was not going to work. The Lakewood RB/4-speed scattershield is too long for the short input shaft of the T56.

I looked through some T56 threads and read where a member talked about how he wished he hadn't trimmed the front of his T56 input shaft, but it was too long for his application. This got me thinking, so I attempted a mock up using the Quicktime RB/T56 scattershield while installing the McLeod adapter plate between the T56 and the scattershield so a throwout bearing will have something to ride on. To do this, I had to remove the threaded inserts from the adapter plate for bolting it to the T56, that way I could install bolts long enough to attach the transmission to the scattershield with the adapter plate in between. With all of it bolted together, the T56 input shaft extends past the front of the scattershield, which means it will be long enough to go inside the pilot bearing. I bought some 3/8" round steel stock so I could make some longer dowel pins, long enough to extend from the T56 all the way through the adapter plate and into the scattershield. I'll have to buy some longer Grade 8 hardware to attach it all together for the final install.

My best friend gave me the center of a Ram clutch with splines for a T56, so I removed the 23 spline center I had on my Ram clutch while seeing how many lbs it took to remove the hardware, installed his center, and re-torqued the hardware to the original specs.

I no longer plan to modify the Ford T5 front bearing retainer; I'll use the one the Chevy version that came with the adapter plate. I will use a Chevy throwout bearing, clutch fork, and pivot for T56 with mechanical clutch. I'll either attach the pivot bolt to the adapter plate or fabricate a bracket to mount it to, similar to the one that comes with a Quicktime bellhousing for use on Chevys to T56 with mechanical clutch.