I went with auto because that is what I had! The motor had 130,000 and would still chirp 2nd every shift! Manual would have been just as easy, I'd go cable on the clutch. I kinda wish I had one, my kid has never driven a clutch. (this is going to be his car) I'm using a cable on the shifter too, (70's pinto). I called all my trans people first, and no one said parts were available for that trans, that was the straw breaker to change power plants. I can still build a C4 for less than $100, and this one is like new. I'm sure the volvo BW trans would have been fine if it has a trans cooler.

I'm doneish with the firewall, that will be the next album. Still some tacking underneath to do. Essentially, I bent a 1" piece of conduit to fit around the bellhousing and welded in place where the volvo stiffener was. That should help with side stability. I welded up the battery box hole today, battery to the trunk to help with weight distribution. I'm putting the ign box on the battery space, with the solenoid and relays. I put the heater hole back in place, but back, and up, may have to get rid of the top flange to be sure the hood won't hit. I had to cut the plenum off the back, but that shouldn't be a big deal to get air into the box.

On your floor, remember it didn't just rust. There was a reason, and that was water getting in from somewhere. In my case it was around the windshield. This badboy will get sealed back up, that is for sure! This one was bad, but really the only rail that was bad was right under the drivers feet. I'd be lying if I said it is a small job! But the front part is flat and pretty easy to deal with, I put the frame connectors in the back so my whole floor is flat. Oh, welding to the rockers will suck to high heaven, I've put that off, probably do that tomorrow. Then I can start grinding and sealing.

As of now, I'm thinking of manual brakes, but that may change. The donor car was a 68 falcon with manual brakes and it stopped fine. The 73 dodge drums are pretty big and made to stop a 3600# car. That's far down the road! I'm still looking for rims with the right backspace. I also need bungs for the rod ends that I plan to put in the rear links, to make the rear adjustable. It seems no one makes them anymore. This was our cuda, 830 hp and manual brakes!

I could rule the world, if I could just get the parts!