How is your coolant temp sensor harness? Is it brittle and cracked at the sensor? If so that will cause a mess of headaches. Its also a cheap fix to replace that sensor as well.

The ideal flush fitment is 9in with a +35 offset ;)You'll have lots of poke. You wont be able to lower it much without it rubbing or running a stretched tires. You'll need to do lots of rolling and pulling of the fenders and rear quarters.

Well I have the 5 speed tore apart and I'm trying to get its parts and put it back together. It only had a 3rd gear "crunch", the rest was really nice. Some may notice the SBC crank. I have another engine build going on in that platform for a man...