Looks like u will be running before dusty's rover

 

God I hope so

 

Ok so a bit of work has happened over the last few days. Had to over come a few parts challenges, stuff I forgot to order... Sad part is it was on my list I just missed it some how. I blame it on never using lists

The trans cross member is in and so is the transmission now. The front suspension crossmember is in as well. Everything is as ready as it's going to get for attempting the first fitting of the 302. I feel like a kid the night before christmas.

After tomorrow it's going to be a lot of little jobs completed by my Dad. I have duty for 13 days straight so no time off to get to work on it. I'm still Hopeful it will be back on the road by the end of September.

A big thank you to Pete at Mantell Motorsport for taking time out on his holiday weekend to answer emails with what are I'm positive stupid questions. Also a big thank you to Rick (MOWOG) as well for the rubber bumper steering rack.

 

A lot of forward movement today.

Lots of clearance work on the trans tunnel, re-worked the flat motor mounts that came with the kit. Since they did not fit the block properly. So much for that pretty powder coating. The drivers side I had to regrind a portion removing about 3/8" of material. The Passenger side I had to re design the front end of the mount to clear the block. Not exactly what I expected to be doing today on parts that are designed for this application.

With that finally out of the way we got on to the first test fit. Marked the firewall and trans tunnel and started massaging the metal to fit the new parts. Test fit 2 and more marks and more massaging of metal. Test fit 3 no more massaging time to mark and cut out clearance for the heads. That is where we stopped for the day.

I'm going to do a bit of research as it all needs to move back about another 1.5 inches so it's going to be some pretty impressive cutting of the fire wall for clearance. Also figured out I need to look into some other options for my hood. I seem to be a little short on clearance up top as well....











Had to set a few parts in place to see how it looked. It was motivational





My Dad sent me this after I left, that won't be staying lol...

 

Yeah that looks like the early80s s 10 I did for a friend, 4 cylinder to SBC , early s10 does not work without massaging so to speak, later s10 before they went to rounded body was much easier since the 4.3 is a short v8 ( basicly) we did a 1991 , dropped in police car throttle body 350 and had it all looking stock, no aftermarket harness or ecm, used all stuff for engine including manifolds and working a/c

Biggest issue stuffing big engines in small cars I find is the engine trans needs to go in together for lack of bell housing access unless you are making an access panel for that reason

 

Oddly Tom so far all the bolts seem to be readily accessible. We have a lot of cutting ahead of us unfortunately to clearance for the Heads and valve covers

 

Ordered a whole bunch of new suspension parts to replace worn out or completely unusable original parts. I was nearing death on the lower control arm on the passenger side. The lower trunion bolt had seized and cut 2/3rds of the way through the control arm. The bolt was also half way cut through to top it off. So all that is on the way and should be installed early next week by my somewhat lucid helper.

He is also clearing out the area's of the firewall to make sure we are ready to cut as soon as I get the time off.

I also ordered a new Tach and a GPS speedometer from SpeedHut Gauges, Custom Gauges, Tachometers, Speedometers, Shift Light, Pod. I took advantage of their Labor Day sale. So for the first time in a couple years I will know without my phone how fast I'm going


I'm looking forward to getting the time off to start making a dent in the mountain of new parts awaiting installation in their new home.

 

Putting in a order for this as well, it should solve the clearance issues

 

Well Dad has gotten a few things done while I have been stuck at work. He has cleared out the area in the foot well/dash area for the cuts to happen this weekend. He has also gotten the inner fenders marked for the header cut outs. Looks like a few things like brake lines will need some re-routing to make room.

The new driveshaft has shown up and the last of the suspension rebuild parts are arriving today as well.

 

That thing looks like its going to be a whole of fun.