thanks for the replies.
I have a nasty growl comming from the tranny area on deceleration. I have been told sounds like a rear end problem with the sound traveling up the torque tube. I'm going to change out the rear end to a late 70's truck axle with a 3.55. Eventually put a 350 up front but with the news of an adapter, I can get a 5 speed up to the 216 and drive it for now.
