Thanks again everyone! Noone in their right mind would argue there.

But you dont need those fancy valve covers. I know a guy who could thoough Even send oyu some nice fabbed aluminum ones maybe even a tunnel ram

Headers and plug changes look like FUN on that!

Headers aren't really bad! These were made by Ernie M (local guy) for John Burdine For a B body RB engine. John was generous to sell them. Six of the eight are almost a bolt-in and two need remade. I didnt check for plug access but it can't be bad? IDK And I won't know soon because I took that mock-up out last night to make room for the KB/440-1 install! I have to say I owning and handling the Predator stuff now makes me reevaluate (at this point in time/race season's is over) why I'm playing with the 'inferior' top-ends.

One of the differences on this block is lack of china-wall oil ports which i was using for my idiot light sensor and to feed valvespring oilers. So my idea is to use the NPT ports on the side of the block, I'm always open to other suggestions... Apparently someone didn't want anyone EVER to remove these internal hex NPT plugs because they cranked them in all the way to China! I assume it's because they didn't want to use any NPT sealer so, tight is right? IDFK So, I had to get creative because tapping-in the metric oversize allen wrench still stripped out the hex, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot.

I made a little shockproof tab mount for the psi sensor and valvecover feeds. Also used a port in the side of the block for oil temp. I added magnetic tipped NPT plugs in the ports which is a nice feature...not that I'll need it?!

Since I had to increase my oil pump speed, (it's an older NASCAR pump I converted from 6 to 5 stage and it uses a small pressure section) I clearanced the oil pan and pump mounts for more belt travel/adjustment and Jones pulleys sent me a couple new gilmer belts ( always get a spare) . This 'fix' created a new problem because the fittings underneath now collide with the rack and pinion mount...always something!

But it's in the car now! Hopefully accessorized and running after another few days of work. I tried to do as much as I can to minimize any assembly with the engine in the car because, I've found it's faster and less frustrating and better executed in-general. But sometimes, things are such a tight fit, you just need the engine in the car.

Just some updates and since the season is over the priority is shifted on better detailing and less shot-gun work. You'd think because i basically reused the oiling system and transmission that I wouldn't have to reengineer related stuff...New lines and routing allow easier belt tension and access while speeding up the old pump to near it's rpm limit.

In the meantime, I decided to upgrade the collectors from 3.5 to 4" and added o2 bungs (tight packaging)

Somewhere else (on another post?) I shared where I put my OFA which has a mechanical gage clocked so i can see it when i prime the oil.

Also under the same theme of correcting things that were marginally functional before, I took care of some wiring because it's easier to access thru the trans tunnel (with no trans). For some reason the Holley system has a NOISY tach signal until higher RPM/on the converter. So they sold me a 'filter' guess we'll see how that works!

In consideration of the scaling-up, in addition to porting the intake to the larger heads, I also made a larger plenum spacer. I'll probably swap-out the 1.38 downleg airhorns to some 1.59 annulars I bought quite a few years ago with the thought they'd lend themselves to oxygenated fuel better.

Also for posterity, when using a powerglide etc. it appears you're pretty much going to have to figure out flexplates, midplates, converters and starters as you go. The block, the crank and etc are all variables.

Almost forgot! I really should have sorted-out the alternator on the stand but in my haste I was going to skip running one altogether and convert to 16V. I did buy a 20lb lighter 16V battery but since the season is over I sunk the alternator into the motorplate.

I also couldn't live with the coil being red so I painted it.

Hey are you doing cars shows or racing? Come on now.
Doug

Says this guy

Looking good. And the glide, BBM thing has gotten kinda out of hand. I have never really had many issues with this before but dang sure do now....Looking good!!

Nice valve covers,I believe those covers once belonged to Tom Debartalo. I believe the guy you bought those from, I sold a set of new T&D rocker stands to. There is one set left of billet covers that were never used to my knowledge .. he is or was a member here,the guy in Australia that used to run drag week with a silver Predator headed drag drive car. as far as I know he never use them, might do some foot work if someone wanted a pair. I still do on the program for these if I was able to sell five sets, I could have more made