corvette zf 6 speed in 68 442
corvette zf 6 speed in 68 442
December 28th, 2014, 08:49 AM
#2
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How does the size compare to a T56? If the ZF is the same or larger, will you must likely have to cut the floor board.
Does it use the same bolt patten as a T56? That will determine your bellhousing options.
What type of clutch are you going to use?
I have a RS500 in mine, so I can't answer specifics on the ZF, but may be able to offer general advice/experience on other aspects.
Also, just curious why you didn't go with a T56?
Does it use the same bolt patten as a T56? That will determine your bellhousing options.
What type of clutch are you going to use?
I have a RS500 in mine, so I can't answer specifics on the ZF, but may be able to offer general advice/experience on other aspects.
Also, just curious why you didn't go with a T56?
December 28th, 2014, 03:11 PM
#4
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I ran a 1991 ZF 6 speed in a 1970 442 for several years. You'll have to cut the transmission tunnel for the shifter being further back. The gearbox itself fit under the tunnel, tight but it fit. The overdrive solenoid on the drives side will need to be removed or the floorboard notched. You'll need an adapter plate for the bellhousing to engine. If using the ZF bellhousing you'll need to use the hydraulic clutch, I didn't do this but it would have likely been a cleaner setup. I had an Olds bellhousing modified for the ZF transmission bolt pattern. You'll need to fabricate a mount for the transmission tail and get the correct driveshaft angle. The aluminum driveline from the Corvette is too short, so you'll need to have one made with the correct slip yoke for the transmission tailshaft. I had it behind a 455 with a mild build and used the car as a daily driver back in the 1990's. I'm not sure the transmission would hold up to the torque at the drag strip. But the 0.75 fifth gear and 0.50 sixth made the 4.10 rear end much more of a highway cruiser. This is more work but cheaper than one of the newer 5 or 6 speed manual transmissions. I did cut up the floorboard more than I wanted to and might think twice about doing it to a 442 again, but wouldn't hesitate for a Cutlass or Vista Cruiser. Please take lots of photos to share so others who consider this swap can learn from your work. John
December 28th, 2014, 06:52 PM
#6
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I don't remember if I had to move the crossmember or not. But you'll need to fabricate the mount. The Olds used two bolts side by side. The ZF transmission uses two bolts stacked front and back.
John
John
December 29th, 2014, 07:00 AM
#7
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Location: Northern VA
Posts: 47,259
Well, the bellhousing will have a Chevy pattern, so that won't bolt to an Olds motor. The ZF trans uses a unique bolt pattern to the bellhousing that won't fit normal BOP bellhousings. I'm not aware of anyone who makes an aftermarket bellhousing for this application, though many make bellhousings to adapt the ZF to an LS motor. Try QuickTime for a custom bell, just expect to pay more than you did for the trans. The aftermarket Chevy-to-BOP adapter plates don't work with a manual trans, they are for automatics. The bottom two bolts and the dowel pins on the Chevy bellhousing are common to BOP if you want to cut and weld the Chevy bell.
The driveshaft and pedals are useless, as they are Corvette parts that won't fit the Olds. And of course, unless your engine came from the factory with a manual trans, the crank won't be drilled for the pilot bearing.
February 28th, 2015, 06:16 AM
#10
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I'm curious why modifying a BOP bell housing wouldn't be the simple solution. It seems any decent machine shop could locate the holes or even fabricate an adapter plate if the bolt pattern of the ZF trans was outside the limits of the BOP bellhousing.
John,
Why wouldn't the mechanical clutch work if you used a BOP bellhousing?
February 28th, 2015, 07:18 AM
#11
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It was a lot easier to use the chevy bell housing. I got adapter plate so it would bolt up and trim the bottom and two fins trimmed so the flywheel would clear. Plus with so this setup you don't have to adjust the clutch .
February 28th, 2015, 09:41 AM
#12
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What adapter plate did you use? What clutch set up are you using?
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