To ford or not to ford?

[Caldwelljj0]

I could use some opinions. I am working to swap a fairly recently rebuilt 55 civilian engine I got from Charles Talbert into my 62 M37. My old engine has the engine compartment fording accessories, but does not have the tail pipe extension or "external" parts. My question is, should I try to use all of the fording parts from my existing engine (which has given up the compression ghost) to modify the civilian engine, or will my swap be made easier if I forego the fording vaccuum lines, special plugs etc. And just simplify my setup using the civvy engine. Thoughts?

[powerwagontim]

Jeff,
There may be other minor differences, but the biggest thing is the oil fill pipe on a civilian engine will be a press in, whereas the military one bolted on. I was considering going the route you are on, and determined to cut the bottom off the military oil filler pipe and weld on the bottom of a civilian pipe. If you use the sealed military distributor, be sure to replace the oil pump with a military one. The slot is centered on the civi one and offset on the military. Other than that I think your accessories will bolt right on. You will not use the same ports for your oil filter lines, but that is just a matter of swapping some pipe plugs around.
The main pulley will also want to swap over, and the timing chain cover. You could leave them civilian and find a different fan belt size.
Good luck,
Tim