After wrapping up the cross member it was time to move on to other pressing tasks of the project. For now I've decided not to use the 700r4 trans and just go with my stock 4 speed. It is in good shape and will allow me to retain the tranny mounted parking brake. When I figure out how to convert to the hand lever style parking brake, then I'll convert to the 700r4.
The next task was to place the 350 tbi engine into the truck to see how it fits. I bolted an old bellhousing to the engine and set it down onto the rear engine mounts and bolted it down.
Using the cross member under the bellhousing to locate the engine works great. It sits in there nicely. But this is where I hit my first big snag in this project. I seem to have the wrong engine perches for use with the rear holes in the main cross member, not to mention the brake line interference.
Now the hunt is on for the proper engine perches to keep this project moving along.