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You should be happy with this conversion. I would be! It's all bolt-together factory stuff and you have a complete parts car to work from. Remember you'll want to get the flywheel off the 82, and you'll need the pilot bearing in the end of the crank (your auto engine won't have it). Replace the rear main seal while you're in there along with the clutch kit if anything looks less-than-new. This is an ok job to do ONCE. Twice, you'll regret. This is a good conversion because both cars do have the mechanical speedo cable. Look closely at both of them for oil leaks at the cable and keep the better one. Also plan to replace your O-drive wiring, since it's probably shot, and do it before the tranny goes back in. Look closely at the shifter itself and replace any plastic or rubber parts that are worn. Ought to be nice and tight.
As for rear axle ratio: try this- jack up ONE rear wheel. (SAFELY with stands, of course). Keep car in neutral, park brake off, wheels chocked, etc. Paint or scratch a mark on the universal joint. Have someone rotate the tire through exactly 20 revolutions. Count rotations of the universal joint. It should turn something like 33 1/2 turns. Divide by 10, and that's your axle ratio (in this case, something like 3.35.) The number could be higher or lower if you have an optional axle ratio. Do this for both cars. If they're the same, you don't have to worry about changing anything else. I believe the speedo drive gear has different numbers of teeth for different ratios. If it's way off, swapping the whole instrument cluster should fix it.
Rob Bareiss, New London CT.
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