so.. yeah thinking the nickle cover with HRC gears is my best bet.. re-use the stock endplate/adapter with my SS midplate *going to rub the scratches in the cover out on some glass & some polishing grit... dunno what grit I need to use.. but I'll figure it out. I ran a Napa Gold filter from the start.. because it's what I read to use here.. but wow that install is clean.. good work!!

I'm not planning to do much to this motor.. aybe someday have it taken apart, cleaned & rebuilt with a 30 over roller rockers & RV cam. A little bit of port flow & valve job.. All new seals & gaskets & bearings. Just don't have the money to do it right now. thanks for the info. my engine is pretty tucked away up in the framerails.. but the T-18a on the other hand thats hangin a bit low.. building a custom skid/crossmember out od Dom tubing & 1/4" plate for that.