They are multi layer steel gaskets.

 

I should be getting my 4L60E core any day now. I need to source some bell housing bolts, finish removing the harness, and get the engine off the stand. Then it's time to drop the nugget in the chassis for a fit check.

 

Do yourself a favor, and pick up some remflex dead soft copper, or aluminum gaskets. Save yourself some headaches.

 

The Remflex website only lists a graphite material - none in copper or aluminum. They claim a 50% crush on an 1/8" thick gasket.

 

Those will work. Other folks make the aluminum or copper fellers too. I got some cheap chinese aluminum ones with my headers, and even those worked great. 3 or 4 years later, still no leaks.

 

The nugget has landed! Well, for the first time, anyway. It is sitting on the motor mounts, but I still need to put in the cross member. Time to mark the mount holes on the driver's side adapter plate, then it comes out to finish them.

 

The passenger header is a tight fit, but it clears everything. Much more room on the driver's side. There's nothing quite like a set of tight fitting headers!

 

Holy smokes, is the engine really offset that much??? There is a boatload of room on the drivers side, and 'barely clears' on the other.

 

Yes, the drivetrain is offset that much. So is the Dakota rear axle assembly. Luckily, the Ford 8.8" rear axle assembly is offset as well. From what I have heard, most American made cars have the drivetrain offset to some degree.

 

I found my first problem with my wonderful junkyard LM7. The front exhaust manifold bolt on the driver's side is snapped off in the head. Just add it to the to-do list. I have experience in drilling out broken bolts and using easy outs. I just don't like to. I may ask the engine machine shop to do it for me while they rebuild the long block.