Stop in for a cup of coffee

Ddaddy said

Looks great!

I'd also be careful to check all around the heads for water leaks after you get it up and running. Picking up and engine by the heads like that without the intake bolted in can cause the heads to shift sideways and compromise the gasket seal.

I once dropped a 400 in a '68 GTO like you did there and after I got it all up and running I was hearing coolant hissing after I shut it down. Turned out both head gaskets were leaking from under the headers in the middle of each side. It seriously sucked to have to pull the heads off and replace the gaskets on a fresh engine. :(

Click to expand...

I've dropped many engines in with the harness. I feel more comfortable using the harness than the "plate" that bolts to the carb flange on the intake... I don't want the engine and trans to be supported by 4 x 5/16" bolts vs 10 x 1/2" head bolts on each side... I usually have the intake bolted on, but he had his LD340 powder coated and I don't want to mark up the finish with the brackets from the harness...

We chased all the threads for the heads and bolts, so we should have good clamp load and it shouldn't affect the head gaskets... (I hope...)

I always chase my threads with a tap and die to make sure that they are clean and good, that way you get the proper clamp load when you torque them... Very important... Plus the parts go together much better when you do...