spent today FINALLY putting stuff together. Saturday I went to torque down my flywheel and whoops, one of the bolts stripped. So I regrouped (after cussing and throwing things) and got some new Grade 8 bolts, ground one flat down on each one, and... well... you know. Most of a day to replace six stupid little bolts! They are about 3/64" longer than stock but there does not appear to be any kind of interference issue, and I feel better using new stuff. In a rare fit of inspiration, I remembered that the automatic cars had a big steel ring over the flexplate, so I used one of those rather than individual washers over the bolts. (aluminum flywheel, really needs flat washers and loctite rather than the stock lock washers) Seems like it ought to work at least as well, and looks better, and less stuff to drop. Got the clutch, bellhousing, and trans mounted for real - now I just need my shifter and I can put it in the car. (I decided not to use the stock shifter because it's a rattly POS; so I am getting one of Thibeault's Hursts with the stock-looking shift lever.)
Also got my aluminum manifold back... it fits the heads all right now (thanks Jeff! the new setup must be working for you,) but I've still got some work to do to make it and the valley pan play nice with each other. Will finish that up tomorrow, and then assess what I need to do to make the carb play nice with everything else. I think I need a spacer but not sure how thick it has to be. After that... well... I think JP is going to make me paint under the hood while the engine is out, but I really, REALLY hate paint prep... it's got to be right up there with in-the-car rod bearing swaps as jobs that I'd rather just pay someone to do...
I'd post pics but I was so busy working that I didn't take any!
nate