Problem solved. As noted, this is a do-it-yourself assembly with parts that were all supposed to be right. In theory I bought a complete front clip with an SPI and automatic trans from a 94 Rover.

It was delivered disassembled.

Body is from a manual trans car, with body numbers apparently in the late 80's

Engine is SPI and was built in late 92.

The sub frame was for a manual.

The top radiator bracket is the longer one that fastens to two of the posts on the thermostat, but I have the extra post and needed the three-hole bracket, so today I fabricated one.

The alternator bracket is above the spark plugs, but my alternator fits below on the block. There is no rear bracket for the alternator, so I will fabricate one.

The fan shroud was too high for the fan, so I ovaled the mount to slide it down a touch.

It did not come with the bushings for the top of the towers, so my body guy had mounted the frame metal to metal. I made bushings 2 cm thick from an old tractor tire. That gave me the rest of the space I needed by raising the body.

The drive shafts came with only one steel ball. Fortunately those are available locally.

Anyway, drive shafts are in, radiator is in, working on a pivot from the left side to the brakes on the right.

 

 

Robster, read the whole post from the beginning. Richard's pickup is not even close to a dissasemble/reassemble project. Pretty much everything on it has been hand built or modified. 

just a clarification, you meant you took off the radiator and when you are re-installing it ,it doesnt fit anymore?? and the radiator suddenly becomes bigger?  or is it a new radiator?

I started thinking about Tulsa after I went to bed.

Yes, I'm worried that I did not get it to set down far enough. I'd hate to have to pull it all apart again to modify. At first I thought I had it with cutting it wider and the cut-outs on the sides, but it would not slide down, so we heated and sledged to bring it out at the bolts. Not having an empty AT frame to copy meant no exact measurements. Didn't consider that if it bolted into the holes it would be too high.

Getting ready to go to town now and play with it.

 

Richard, I actually live in Tulsa. This website doesn't allow me to update the location. As I recall you and I discussed that you do business in Tulsa too. Update your thread on my website when you get a chance and see if you can get pics and maybe details on the subby modifications.

Richard if memory serves me correctly didn't you modify a manual sub frame to make your auto lump fit ? If so maybe you did not sit it low enough, just a thought

did not take a picture, I stopped to install the drive shafts (and found I was missing 11 of the 12 steel balls, which fortunately were in stock at my local bearing store).

But no, I'm sure it won't (actually no hinges on it yet).

 

BTW, I see you are in Tucson. My brother owns the Azure Gate bed and breakfast there.

Does the bonnet close? Do you have a picture?

Took some time to work on the pickup today and installing the radiator I find it is about 3/8" too tall to fit under the fender.

It is a 1275 SPI, in a 93 front shell.

Any thoughts?