This is a fantastic thread!!! Thank you for posting in such great detail. I am using the Pandemic for the same reason : starting my '68 Charger rebuild. And, like you, I got the SST manual swap kit in the mail. I finished my US Car Tool subframe connectors, four torque boxes and I have the radiator support on the way. I'm about to crack into the Tremec swap, then I came across your thread, it's awesome!! The difference is I am swapping it into a 727 auto car that was never manual. I have a few strategy questions, I would LOVE your insights:
1. Big Picture: After I finish the suspension, brakes and perhaps the gas tank, I plan on sending it out for paint and body - it is completely stripped down right now - all body panels are on but interior is stripped, engine is out and engine bay is cleared out. I plan to have it media blasted, blocked, primed and painted. (I cannot afford a full rotisserie resto - not in the budget and the car is pretty clean and rust free anyway.) One of the things I would like done by the shop I choose is smoothing the firewall. If you were at my stage, would you install the trans now or would you wait until it came back from paint and body?
2. Small questions from a mechanical idiot:
a. After you welded the patch panel in after making the adjustments, you said you sealed it - what does that mean? Do the SST instructions address this? I am a VERY new welder -- my subframe welds score a solid 2 on a scale of 1-10 pretty welds....turns out it's damn hard to lay down dimes when you're way out of position under jack stands.
Those are all I have for now - thanks again for posting this, really cool read and very timely. My only friends are patience and determination as well....;)
-Aron
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