Thanks for the info.

I think where ill start is the diff, then go forward through the power-train.
Ill try an use the diff I have. Try and figure out why an fb drive-shaft wont bolt up. Maybe just drill new holes.

the likely reason is that there were two bolt patterns on the Gen I cars. if i recall (it's been a while) it's S1/S2 vs. S3. however, it could have been '79-'82 vs. '83-'85. either way, there were two and they will NOT bolt up. i won't comment on drilling as an option because i always tried to keep one of each in my cache of parts. also, because reliability issues may creep on the scene.

EDIT:

i had commented on the photo with your engine mounted in the bay because the bracket looked weird. i thought it was inverted. so, scratch that .... i just remembered the shorter side does go by the front oil line because it's sometimes a bitch to pull it. you have it right. maybe it's the angle of the photo, but it just looks like the engine is sitting higher than it should.

it will. i ran both style 12A radiators with my 13Bs with no issues cooling issue due to the radiator itself.

as far as using the Gen II radiator, it can be done fairly easily. that's the route my brother took on his '83.

Unless you're an OCD douchebag like me. :)

Good to know about the flange patterns, thanks.

Anymore updates on this build? Once I saw the V8 and all the low-buck fabrication I started to cringe... cause I know how hard it can be to re-engineer a car that wasn't properly modified to start with.

My 77 RX3-SP SCCA Pro Rally car had this problem... cause it was converted to a Ford 9" rear end and lifted quite a bit. Trying to make it go low again to be a proper pavement car wasn't easy... and ultimately didn't work out well at all.

Good luck!