I have a 78 Sky Bird that I am converting from the factory chevy 305, to 72 pontiac 400. The motor seems to be sitting to high in the engine compartment and I don't think I will be able to install an air cleaner. The mounts I used were for a 78 TA 400. The trans is a TH400. Anybody have any experience doing the same kind of swap?
Thanks,
Roy  

Boy, that 400 ought to shake the cobwebs out of your Sky Bird!I have a 1979 Formula with a 75 350 (Pontiac) and th400 trans, I used the stock 301 frame mounts and the engine brackets that came with the motor (75 Esprit) and the trans mount came with the car, sorry, I don't know it's listed application. I went out to the garage and laid a piece of 2x2 wood across the top of the front fenders at the front of the motor and measured from the bottom of the wood to the thermostat housing gasket surface, it was 6 and 3/4". From the top of the firewall to the plug wire retainer on my HEI distributor was 4.5". If your car measures the same, you should be able to use a stock air cleaner or an aftermarket 14" with a dropped base (is it a 2bbl or 4bbl? The 2bbl sits higher). Currently I'm using the 301 base with a high top lid from a 305 4bbl so I have the taller filter, but it touches the hood when the motor torques, so I'll have to switch back to the flat lid for shows and a 14" for cruising and racing. If your motor sits higher than this, I would look at the engine brackets, did you have to use any adapter plates?. Hope this helps.
Steve  

I,m doing a 455(1972)/400(1978) trans in a 1980 espirit and my hood closed no problem. My problem is the cross member,driveshaft and hooking up this B&M ratchet Mega Shifter that came with the car. I am sure that it is missing something as the shifter cable is dragging the ground. I am sure that when this Bird is done it will be sooooooo much fun! Is there help for this Bird????