I pulled up some old tech manuals online to come to the 8.5 rod length it is possible that it is the wrong year or something like that. I will be pulling my spare engine down in the next couple months (I know I'm slow)so I will be able to get more accurate measurements on everything. tlowe, the heads do have water running through them. I believe Packard had the same manual OD trans (could be wrong) and I am more than OK using a vintage transmission, however with the fun I am having finding parts for and improving the strength of the engine I don't know that I want all that fun again with the transmission. I have found a company who has a bellhousing adapter for this to a modern GM transmission manual or automatic I might end up going that route. I might look into the Hudson rod option, if I can find some that is.
