IT'S ALIIIIIIIIVE!

Lee D. was kind enough to send along a Hurst 1-2 shift rod that
actually worked, and Brian Scott sent a whole old stock kit as well
(thanks to both, this group is awesome.)  So I can select all gears
now, engine is back in car, Borg and Beck clutch works, so does the
aluminum intake and the AVS carb.  Amazingly enough it started right up
"out of the box" with just a little timing tweaking.

Only current issues are a) front end of car is still all apart, and I
just discovered that my hood hinges have been sitting in the parts
washer for about a month and the paint on them has now turned into some
soft, varnish like goo :(  b) I think I have a brake or two adjusted
too tight, car felt like it was "binding" and stalling the engine in
reverse but after playing with it a little bit, it doesn't roll free
with the clutch pushed in either. (aluminum flywheel makes it a little
easier to stall than your average Stude...  but sounds great!)  c)
transmission is loud...  guess I have another project to do, but at
least 1st, 2nd, and reverse work fine, just makes a little more whining
than I'd like.  Even without any tuning other than setting the idle mix
and pump shot, response in 2nd gear is very nice indeed.  Rear end
makes no noise, and I did not test its capabilities but seems to be
fine (on jackstands, there's at least some limited slip action)

Have to give props to the engineers at Chrysler too...  i have an
"orange box" ignition and stupid me hooked it up from memory when
rewiring the engine compartment, let some smoke out of the transistor
but got a big fat spark after just moving the stray wire to where it
was supposed to be.  That orange box is tough enough to legitimately be
on a Stude! :)

Still to do: detail hinges, fan shroud, underside of hood and reinstall
all front end sheetmetal/chrome.  Finish cutting hole in floor and
install shift plate and boot.  Readjust brakes so car rolls freely in
neutral.  Install clutch assist spring (ugh)  maybe lean out the carb
(650 CFM AVS) one step on the primaries.  Then think about rebuilding a
transmission...  uncharted territory!  (seems like I'm acquring new
skills every day...)

In any case, I feel a lot better about the car today than I did
yesterday, I can see functional transportation in my future...

nate