rockhouse66

I did a similar build using the Eagle forged kit and ported 351 heads. Are you sure that this is balanced to a 28 oz. flywheel? I ask because when I bought mine, it was only available neutral balanced. The notching template is a pretty neat piece; sure saves a lot of trial and error mocking up the actual parts. I also ran a main stud girdle and windage tray, so some more notching was required to get everything to clear.

The lanyards in my picture were purchased from Factory Muscle Parts; www.factorymuscleparts.com I don't know if they are the same as the Drake ones or not as I have not knowingly seen a Drake set installed. In the pictures on their site, it looks like the pins might be fine thread....???

The washers are wrong and the pin hole should be front to back. The pin doesn't look too bad; coarse thread is correct and most aftermarket are fine thread. Not crazy about that clunky lanyard though, which is like the one that comes in the Ford Racing pin kit and not anything like an original which has a very small aluminum crimp.

On my car, the seat belt light comes on when you switch the ignition to "on" and stays on for maybe 15 seconds, then goes out (no matter what you do with the actual seat belt!).

I suspect that the engagement teeth on 2nd gear are worn and you will have to disassemble the trans and replace at least that one gear. I suggest you call Mark at Toploader Heaven and discuss with him. He can supply advice, parts and a rebuild kit with DVD so you can do it yourself. Worked for me! www.toploaderheaven.com

I recommend Python; http://www.pythonrestoration.com/ Probably $400-$500 or so, depending on what you send him for cores. If you really want "new" original looking stuff, this is the place IMO.

Well, if this fixes it, then I guess he knows what the actual problem is.

Are you running the vacuum advance? If so, disconnect it (and plug the vacuum line) and see what happens. This could "fix" the surge.

8L is November, 1968. This date would normally be found in a car built from about late December, 1968 to maybe early February, 1969. When was your car built?