My engine is done and it looks great. I thought the long block looked kind of stupid painted Hemi orange and was wishing I'd told the shop to paint it Chrysler red, but with the valve covers and intake on it actually looks pretty good. I bought a new tire Saturday because the one that was flat won't hold air, period. I'm kind of PO'd at Les Scwab because I paid $10 extra for a tire with a white stripe on the side wall to match the other three, so they mount it with the stripe on the inside. Didn't have time to wait for them to remount it so I'll just live with it for now.
After a lot of thought, my wife and I decided to "just get it over with" - the 5 speed conversion that is. I was thinking of installing the engine and driving the car for awhile with the automatic, but in the end decided it would be better to go ahead and have the transmission replaced now. Otherwise the 5 speed kit will be sitting in my garage for another six years:) So today I'm having the car towed down, and the machine shop said they'd deliver the engine for me. The shop (B&T Custom in Reno) said I should have it back in about 3 weeks. I can hardly wait!!!