It is been quite a while since I posted on this group.

To give some information on my car's background I have an 85' 240 in the Northern New Jersey area with 175k which has proven to be the only thing that hasn't betrayed me over the last few years.

I have changed jobs, girlfriends, apartments, newer cars but this has been always there for me. It was my first car after my father's 144S. I have been almost always asked from friends and relatives why do I still keep this car...even after it has outlived every car they had owned..by far.

Even though I do like the car I kind of got into this V8 thing about 8-9 years ago after I read an article about Ross in one of the main stream car magazines. As we all know 114HP in a 240 body is ok for cruising but sucks compared to the performance of the newer cars. I kind of started dreaming about the conversion since then but due to various reasons(like being a 100/day commuter car a few years back) I never got to do the conversion.

Over the last few years I have purchased the following parts:

* Converse Kit with Instructions
* 88-93 Mustang related Accessories-Brackets-Wiring Harness-ECUs, MAF and electronic related parts as per Converse Kit.
* Corvette Radiator and Flex hoses(as per JTR Book)
* Later Volvo S80 Cooling fan which fits exactly on the Corvette radiator with an after market electronic variable fan speed controller
* TKO Based Bell housing for 3550 or TKO based manual transmission.

My room is full of parts......

To make the long list short I have almost all of the parts required for the conversion except the transmission and the 302 long block. In addition I have already installed Blistein shocks and IPD Sway bars.

I was planning to build an engine with a cousin of mine about 2 years ago but since he got a new car in the garage he doesn't have the space nor the time. I am stuck with some of the engine long block parts such as high quality forged pistons and forged crankshaft, connecting rods etc.

After all these years of postponements and planning I have come to the conclusion that it seems that the most suitable solution will be to have the conversion done from Ross at Converse. This project is out off style in the New York-New Jersey area where most mechanics are trying to make a quick buck out of regular car service.

Here are my current concerns:

1. It seems that I will have to drive all the way to Maine(350 miles door to door) in order to make delivery of the car. I tried to find a car shipper but they closest place they deliver is Boston(still 130 miles away) from Maine.

2. I need to find a good engine builder in order to finish off the 302 engine long block and use the parts that I have(I assume that I they can accept my parts). I don't know but it might also be a good idea to also ship them the accessory brackets to install.

3. I need to coordinate with Ross about having the engine, trans delivered directly to him without having to worry about shipping it twice and before I make delivery of the car.

The plan is to give Ross a call sometime during Christmas to get his opinion and the best possible time to do this would be during spring time...April-May.

This V8 Conversion thing I fear that I will regret of "not doing" rather than doing. I can't really say anything about the mixed feelings I get when I see people selling their Volvo V8 conversions. I really don't want to find myself in that spot.

I need some opinions on this. I really appreciate the support I have received over the years in this list.

Thanks...

Mike