I wasted no time continuing on. The very next day (today) I drug the old 350 (now fully rebuilt) out of the garage as well as that "anchor" SM465 transmission. This is one HEAVY tranny!
(pic #1 & 2)
After spending some time bolting on the bell, flywheel and installing the clutch/pressure plate, I "married" the engine and transmission together. (it was a small ceremony, just me and the new couple)
And here it is (pic #3) making it's way back into the chassis. (the engine tilter was doing what it does best in this photo) Not shown is how I had to jack the front of the cab up about 5 inches so the transmission would clear due to the cross member not being removable on these trucks and the tall top plate. Much easier to this way rather than install trans from bottom after the engine was in. (pics #4 & #5) show it all nestled in. And that's where I'm at as of right now!
Won't be long now until I fire it up!