3/7/04  The Eagle has landed!  Or is it... the Dart ? 

	Guess what?  The 454 is nearly in!  It's resting here on its own mounts - I still have a few adjustments to make before I'm completely happy, but it is centered and all that's left to do is mount the transmission cross member... then start tackling all the things that had to be whacked for the setback and get to painting
	Up close and personal look at the mount... this started life as one of those universal 3/4" forward mounts that everyone in the tri-five community seems to be going for.  I thought the fitment stank, so I set the engine where I wanted it, whacked the "bolt on" mounts off these universals and welded in the extensions.  Then I boxed it all the way around and welded it to the frame.
	Seen here is the best fitting side as far as headers go.  They touch the front body mount brace which was a problem back when I had the small block.  This time the braces get whacked and moved to the back side of the vertical plate.  The driver's side header sits too far forward... apparently Patriot didn't account for the staggering of the big block's heads?  Either that or they didn't care...  but I do because I don't want to be rubbing tires into hot headers when I turn, so I'll have to alter that side to get them sitting back where they should.  Good thing I ordered them uncoated.  :-)
	Whoop!  Hell yeah!  Look at what the Big Pilgrim scored this weekend for $500!
	By the way... this one's going up for sale since Daddy-o gave me the 454