[Power Surge]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I put the motor in today. Being the stubborn bastard that I am, I did it the way I planned to do it. It really wasn't all that bad...

A few observations in the install..

- the alternator did not need to be off the motor, but it sure would have made life easier.

- you can't drop the motor in with both mount on the chassis, because the pan is wider than the mounts.

- my bellhousing was not cut, but it sure HAS been bashed on something at one point. I will be cutting it down in the car once I can get it up on the lift.

- I need to figure out something different for my fuel line from the pump to the carb. It doesn't clear the steering shaft.

- I have no idea how the heck I'm going to install the driver's side header bolts or motor mount bolts. There's hardly any room on that side.

Basically I just jacked the trans up as far as it went, then slowly dropped the motor in place, while making sure the Lakewood block plate was over the crossmember. Yes, it was a close call, but it didn't see any harder than doing it any other way.

Oh, and the funniest thing was, with no engine in the car, it looks like there is tons of extra room in there. But once the motor is in the bay, it quickly fills up!!

Thanks to everyone, and I'm sure I'll have lots of other questions now that I have to figure out where everything hooks up to!