Im looking at a T56 tomorrow that i found online and its from a 2001 z28.
What should i look for (good and bad signs) before i buy it?
How do i check if it works or not?
I hate to gamble on it.

 

Here's my checklist:

- Obvious cracks in case (including bellhousing)
- overly oozed RTV indicating previous shade-tree rebuild
- you should be able to activate/engage the shifter linkage by hand and check
each gear (turn input and hold output )
- check input shaft (pilot and splines) for scoring or pitting or twists
- pull up/down on input shaft to check excessive run-out
and spin to check noisy bearing damage
- possibly check the fluid from the fill plug to
see if it's dirty, new, or drained, indicating poor maintenance,
hiding something, or possibly internal rusting from sitting, respectively.

Otherwise, there's not much you can do to check synchros and other internals..

 

I usually like to remove the mid plate and take a glance inside when possible.

 

thanks guys. wish me luck.