I got everything timed right today. I was one tooth behind on the crank and right balancer. Hung the exhaust on and bolted it in with new gaskets. It tucks up nicely, like it was made for a Montero, but it doesn't line up anywhere near where my existing exhaust was, so that's going to get done at a muffler shop, I guess, since Toasty doesn't like to weld exhausts.

Next, I have a ground or two to extend/change connectors on so they'll be good, and I have to extend the connection for the oil pressure sensor. Not sure if the donor vehicle had a gauge or just a light, so we'll see what happens when I hook up the sender.

Still haven't done anything with the alternator pulley but that's coming real soon. At least with my fancy caliper I can tell counter people what size things I need instead of just grunting and pointing.

Need to unhook the Montero's power steering lines and connect the pump I'm going to use after I mount it's bracket. Then belts (new), fan, radiator (rodded), shroud (painted) and hoses (also new).

I have some interior things left to tidy up and new door lock cylinders to install as it looks like somewhere along the line somebody tried unsuccessfully to jimmy the locks and messed up both door's cylinders.

LordTrunks, I'm about ready for you to give it the ol' Billy-Baroo on the electrical and let's see if we can get this thing out of the driveway!

Oh, '95 update: I put in my new transmission mount this afternoon. Man, did it need that. The old one was completely thrashed and I'm willing to bet it makes a big difference with the harsh vibration I've had from the rear at highway speeds for years. (EDIT: It didn't. I'm ordering u-joints and taking the driveshaft in to be balanced.)I have to get to the engine mounts soon.

I put the front two skid plates back on. What a pain because they're so deformed. The transfer case skid doesn't want to cooperate, but I'll try to get it on in the morning before I leave for Hackberry Creek, my first four wheeling in over a year! Gotta find all my gear and get loaded up, too.

John B.