sweet, thanks.
I'll get one for sure, i hate sanding lol i've been doing way to much of it.

 

Me too.

 

On your question about cutting out the floor. I'd go the nibbler whenever possible if it fits the contours and there's no double layer support below. On the areas that have supports or other interference I'd go with a cutoff wheel. You can do a sawzall also in some areas, but they tend to be a little clumsy when you get to the last side of a rectangular or square cut. The sheetmetal tend sto junp around with them unless you make all your cuts stop shy of the corners, and then just cut the last when all 4 sides are nearly done.
I personally like the nibbler and cutoff wheel best.

 

cool, thanks Val

 

Didnt end up doing what i wanted today but at least i did something, right. Well i needed an engine stand for the 350 i picked up recently, plus it was just in the way (in the middle of the floor lol). so i dropped the motor in the car (remebered everything ie: flexplate lol) to give me more space to work in the garage. the motor is still on the floor though lol, didnt have time to bolt it up to the stand.

but i think she looks purdy in there lol.

 

That does look nice!

 

Thanks Val, i can't wait to put the inners on and hide a bit of that flat black (bad choice of colour lol).

Just a bunch of fartin around today, cleaning up, i bolted the other motor on the stand got that out of my way, put the one exhaust back on and bolted both pipes up to the headers, put on the fuel pump (manual), put on the rad hoses and i noticed a large puddle on the ground under the tranny, i guess while tightening the bolt i shifted the dipstick and cracked it at the base .

how many shims do i need on the starter (regular 350ci flex plate), i don't want to put to much or not enough?

 

what brand distributor did you put on your engine?

 

It's just an AC Delco with the top spray painted yellow.

 

If it's a stock starter I would start out with none. There is a procedure you can do to be 100% sure but I've never had to do it. I think with the bendix gear engaged you're supposed to have .020's of an inch between the contact point and the flywheel tooth that it's not touching on. That is if I remember it correctly.

Also, if you bough a shim pack you should have a number of different thickness shims. All the way from .010 to .060. If you're having problems with it engaging and not sounding right start with the smallest and work your way up.