so... we're getting close. Got alot done these past few days. Wiring sorted out, so I thought I'd get everything ready to drop in. Push the trans and engine together and for the life of me I just coudln't close the gap between the two.
this pic says it all. using two engine hoists to hold each part and trying to align it to no end..

no matter what I did, this was the end result each time.

after fighting the trans for hours, I promptly threw my hands up in defeat and headed inside before I hulked out and did any damage to anything in the garage. lol
poured myself a drink and relaxed for the night.

the next morning, I woke up with new determination.
got out there, look the trans dead in the eye and it stared back at me with a gaze saying, "bring it, b*itch!"
and bring it, I did!
I decided to loosen the pressure plate bolts and try to realign the clutch. Played around with it for a bit and realigned the trans.

BAM!

It was just that easy. I must've bumped the clutch alignment tool when I was tightening everything and it was just off by a hair.
Determination and adrenaline were running high so I took it and continued on.
Since the engine bay was empty, I decided to do some preventative maintenance and sprayed the subframe with some eastwood chassis paint as well as sanded and masked off the rusty battery tray for a quick paint


then I proceeded to clean up the huge mess in the garage to make room for carrying the engine around and into the engine bay. WHOO!! I have a floor again!

Installed the starter and put the harness on the engine.


took a look at the AC plugs for the BEAMS vs the 7AFE and they were different so I couldn't use my old compressor.

BEAMS/5S

7AFE


with all that done, all that was left was to cut off my old 7A B pipe and the engine was ready to drop in.
Working late into the night, I had the engine up and over into the engine bay. Dropped it down and lined up the driver side mount until I realized that it was Sunday and not Saturday and that I had to work at 7 the next morning.... shoot! so I had to stop for the night and go inside. SO CLOSE!!