Engine shop checked leak, called BOP. They said this is an extreme situation and the engine "may not leak when installed in the car and run." We installed the engine tonight and will do the absolute minimum assembly to start and run it, in case it does leak. Fingers are crossed!!.
New problem--We have a repro crossmember for a TH400. When the bolts are put in the rear mount, the crossmember is about 1 1/2" off center. In other words, on the driver's side, the crossmember laps over the framerail by about 2 1/2". On the passenger side, only about 1/2". We moved the rear of the transmission as far as possible with the front engine mount bolts loose. We still are off too far. Also, the mounting holes in the crossmember are about 3" too far forward, so they don't come close to the framerail holes. This crossmember is one sold as a "Firebird & Camaro TH400" piece. It will not work in a Firebird.
If anyone has a OEM used crossmember for sale from a '68 Firebird with TH400, we'd like to buy it.
