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It’s now time to “dry fit” everything, and this includes the Engine and transmission. My plan is to install everything, take it all apart then finish the body and paint. Then put it all back together again. With this massive BOSS 529 engine, not only did I have to remove the shock towers, but also the firewall and top of the transmission tunnel to allow all to fit. The engine is so big/wide, it covers the stock master brake cylinder…. so I have to look at my options for power brakes.
First up… install the clutch and bell housing to the engine.
Here’s the dual disc clutch installed and ready to dial into the bell housing.
Here’s the March billet pulley system is all installed and the BOSS 529 engine on the engine hoist ready for first fitting…. hope it all fits.
The Tremec TKO600 transimission is ready on the transmission stand.
Gheez… this engine is so big and with all the March pullies, alternator, A/C and Power Steering pumps is really a tight fit. So tight, I have to cut the firewall (picture of that later) and remove the bell housing to get it in.
Almost and close, but it won’t fit. The oil pan hit a bracket on the rack and pinion unit… Luckly, I can grind it off to make room.
In this shot, the enginge is lifted slightly to allow me to grind about 1/4″ of metal off the power rack and steering. This will allow the engine to be lowered onto its enging mounts and disconnected from the engine hoist.
Here’s the final resting place. It’s a good fit…. but wait until you see what I had to do to the firewall and transmission tunnel. Just making more work for me. I also had to fabriacte a transmission mount.
In this shot, you can see the Tremec TKO 600 transmission is in place, but I have to cut a lot of metal to make room.
From this angle, you can see how I had to cut the firewall out. I’ll just have to replace with flat sheet metal. This will give a better look in the engine bay. The custome A/C system from Vinage Air will still fit just fine.
From this angle, you can clearly see how high the QuickFuel Dominator 1050 carb sits up. Plus when you add an air cleaner, even with a 2″ drop pan, it will be around 3.5″ above the hood. I’ll have to custom make a hoodscoop, like in the design photo (earlier thread), to make it all work
