I can probably have one made. How thick does it need to be?

 

The one my guy uses is about 2 1/2-3" thick.

 

So, copy the head bolt layout, bore out holes the size of the bores, and make sure the mating surface is completely straight? Shouldn't be TOO bad a job. Hardest part is finding steel that size at a good price.

 

Oh, there are always places...



- Eric

 

Heheh, I might get in trouble for that. There are other options, though. My transmission adapter plate weighed 12 kg and cost me about $15.

 

Depends on whether you do it wearing a hardhat and reflective vest.

You can do darned near anything wearing a hardhat and reflective vest and get away with it.

- Eric

 

Try wearing a uniform and carrying a gun. Nobody stops you.

 

Yes, but they notice you.

When I was younger (before cell phones), I had a job for a while rebuilding cable TV networks in another state. My buddy and I would be gone for a few days working, and sleep in his unmarked pickup truck.
When we were on our way home, we'd pull up to a telephone pole, one of us would climb it, connect my flea-market lineman's phone to a live phone line, and call our girlfriends long-distance to tell them we were coming home.
I could sit at the top of a pole for half an hour talking on the phone if I wanted to, and nobody would notice.
Guess they noticed when they got the bill.

Ah, youth...

- Eric

 

You rascal, you.

 

Or if your wearing a helmet and climb down from a short yeller bus.

 

I resemble that remark!

- Eric

 

I don't know if I mentioned it, but I did two things in the process of narrowing down my possibilities on this project: putting up an add for calls on any Olds engine parts floating around over here (an unharmed crank was on the idea, and a better water pump), and a thread asking if anyone knew of anyone who had a torque plate for Olds engines. The latter directed me towards a bigger machine shop which should give me an estimate on a full renovation that I can hold up against the price of having Mark build a new engine, once they're back from summer vacation.

The former led me to a few fun offers.
- A running 307
- The heads off a 69 BB.
- Water pump and valve covers off a 425 some guy swapped into his Trans Am, instead of a 403 (I assume he didn't offer the latter because it was junk).
- A '57 371, complete. Don't know if it's running.

Some odd stuff pops up every now and then.

 

I was the cool kid in the back.