With my new camera in hand and after much tinkering over the last few days with engine mounts, remote oil filter housing and like took the plunge, hoisted it up and dropped it in. Clutch splines lined up no problem and the engine dropped onto the box. I've popped a 10mm piece of steel under the offside engine mount. With that in place it lifts the engine slightly and leaves the sump hanging down about an inch all round and gives it a bit of a run off towards the drain plug.

After mucho head scratching and different release arms off ebay I have abandoned the ali bellhousing as an expensive mistake. With it having the option of starter on either side it was a bit too wide. I ground a lump off the clutch arm side so I'm not really able to sell it on. What a bummer...In the picture above you can see how much further back the filter housing is. Theres no chance of the steering arm catching now!
Its just a matter of connecting everything up now and I started with my new alternator mount which has worked out quite well. Alternator is now slightly higher and further away from any chassis rails and is really much more compact. With the belt on and tightened up its ready to go.

Duratec (zetec) ST170 engine will initially get its chance on the carbs off the 1.8. 4 X 40mm should be enough... A trip to Bogg Brothers may be needed but at this time I need to be convinced injection is needed. I'll be wiring the VVT up to the shift light function of the Megajolt so it will open at 4K rpm. Should make it sing.

One thing about the ST engine is the port sizes. The standard zetec ones are heart shaped but these are just plain round holes in and out. BIG plain round holes. The exhaust manifold will be having soome metal removed from the flange and depending on the inlet shape once I take the ST inlet manifold off I may fettle the carb inlet or make a new one.

New water hoses are required as the blacktop water pump union is smaller than the zetec one, comes out slightly pointing backwards and as I'm sticking with the Ford thermostat housing new top hoses as well. Lots to do, should have it running by Sunday.....