Thanks all: 4-Speed into 85 TD: DONE!
 

Got the shift rods cut yesterday, last piece of the puzzle. Just took her out for a test drive (console still apart, no turn signals!) Shifted fine, although reverse was grinding a bit once, may have to bleed the clutch again.

Thanks to MustangMan298 for the right crossmember, Mike in NC who had all the other 240 parts, and my tech for supervision and occasional elbow grease!

Feels like a different animal. I have been driving a sub-standard transmission for a couple years now, so I may have no feel for the responsiveness of this engine. It has pick-up! Haven't been on the highway yet, likely this weekend. Will report.

Thanks to all the write-ups here. My tech was skeptical at the start, more skeptical when the first driveshaft guy said MB shafts could not be cut (found the right guy who knew how they were made AND had cut plenty), and varying degrees of skeptical throughout. He likes his cars "factory". He admitted that he liked the feel of the car! :cool: