I use a Macs engine pivot (tilter) that bolts to the carb studs to lift engines. The thing really is slicker than snot for dropping engines down and positioning the mounts to drop right on. Adding the trans increases the load on those 4 studs and although this rig works awesome, I'm still a bit concerned about having it pull the carb studs and dropping an engine.

With the car being assembled and painted, the risk of it dropping it while going in over the front of the car has the potential to be catastrophic. Hence the reason I added the chain yesterday (as a safety). Adding the transmission weight onto those studs increases the chances of something failing so I have been putting the transmission in separately on the last 3 motors just to be safe. It's not hard to lift the transmission in and then add the rear mount after the fact.

So with the engine now resting in place, we have since connected the clutch, installed the transmission and aligned the 3138 shifter with linkages. Today we cleaned up the original console, made the required carpet cuts and got the lower base installed with the wiring and oil pressure line in place. The console top was set in place near the end of the day and further cuts were made for the seat belts and seat tracks. I'll be finishing up the console, carpet and seat belts over the weekend with the rest of the interior to follow early next week. A mere 21 days left before the cars birthday and original shipping date of May 9th. Crack goes the whip.

https://i.ibb.co/8DskCCy/IMG-3888.jpg
Rebuilt Muncie M21 Trans with 3138 Shifter and Linkages

https://i.ibb.co/tm0qSrH/IMG-3896.jpg
Mounted up but can't find the right bolts for the linkages. They're around here somewhere...gotta find them! (temporary bolts are in place for now)

https://i.ibb.co/bzKyN3r/IMG-3898.jpg
Buttoning up the rear cross member and the transmission mount. Linkages are working great!

https://i.ibb.co/mSqR7yX/IMG-3899.jpg
Using many restored original fasteners for this drive line, courtesy of Rich (Enoch)

https://i.ibb.co/WHvXyQX/IMG-3913.jpg
One of my employees (Keith) helping me out as he cuts the carpet holes.

https://i.ibb.co/5KsYPHb/IMG-3942.jpg
Original console and gauges cleaned up and installed.

https://i.ibb.co/V2qW8LK/IMG-3943.jpg
Looking good for a 50 year old piece, and so is that un-restored shift handle.

https://i.ibb.co/dcfWDXQ/IMG-3869.jpg
The Z/28 is starting to look like a car again. Won't be long now. Tic Toc

Looking good Graeme!

That's going to be a sweet car!

Love the Rally Green. I'm a fan of the less common colors

👍🏻

Dang Graeme - she is looking FINE!!!!:3gears::3gears::3gears::3gears:

Car looks fantastic! Great job by all!

Looks great!

As expected, very nice Graeme!:biggthumpup:

Been working hard with the interior the past few days while sorting out what seats to use in the car. I have a restored set of seats with new covers and an original survivor set but I'm really struggling between them as both have their +/- issues. A little more adjusting of the door panels is required but these originals are definitely going in. While back and forth with seats, we're also prepping bolts and hardware for the engine peripherals. Today we'll install the smog system, alternator, power steering, clutch fan and fuel lines.

https://i.ibb.co/2tJRXk5/IMG-3984.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/txp7GY7/IMG-3964.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/pZHL4yk/IMG-3971.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/C5pYBQR/IMG-3993.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/NN7HsXJ/IMG-3994.jpg