the solution to the top problem was solved using your photos and suggestions. it took some time to get it right but once i had everything lined up as per your pics sstock, the top went right on.
the clutch problem was simple although it took about 5 days and ordering a few different clutches before i figured it out. the motor is a '57, the rear, a '55 and the trans a late model sm420. the problem was the flywheel was a '51, not a '57 like i thought, which i can only guess came off the original 216. it uses a 91/4" clutch and PP so the clutchs were all the incorrect size even though the part numbers were correct, the info i was giving was not. there was also the matter of torquing the bolts down to specs which, i guess is "important"....who would have guessed.
truth is i screwed up the installation from the get go. thanks to all the fine folks here, i was able to correct my errors and get it going. this is a GREAT forum!
