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Message: [QUOTE="me2, post: 359720, member: 3825"] Work Arounds I was relying heavily on getting plate cut by waterjet/laser/plasma cutters for the engine adapter plate pieces, the flexplate adapter and now the exhaust manifold parts. I did not rely on such services when I did my 5.9CR swap. I built the transmission adapter plate entirely on my own for it. For those that aren't aware, there are only a few (dowelled) holes on an engine adapter plate that are dimension/location specific. The dimension/location specific holes that come to mind are the 2 dowel pins on either side of the engine crankshaft on the back of the engine block and the 2 dowel pins on the face of the 6R140. All the rest of the holes on an adapter plate are loose fitting. The starter has to be somewhat precisely located, but as long as the teeth engage nicely, its location is fine. Where I am going with all this is that if I have an issue with getting vendors to cut pieces for a reasonable cost, I have a milling machine equipped with enough XYZ travel and a Digital Read Out (DRO). I can use it to drill and ream the location/dimension specific holes in plate precisely, drill the loose fitting holes manually and cut the outline of the plates manually with my plasma cutter. I did it before, I can do it again. I already spoke to a vendor about cutting the Ford flex plate and that is no problem. As it is heat treated, I want it cut by a waterjet, not a laser or plasma cutter. Its a simple circular cut, it won't cost much. All this will take extra time on my part and one thing offsetting the cost of getting it done by a vendor is that the 08F350 uses about 50% more fuel pulling the trailer than the 5.9 did in my '99. I have to give this all some thought. I know that some of what I am talking about doesn't make much sense without pictures. I'll get some so that people can see what I am talking about. I knew this winter when I was preparing for the swap that a CNC plasma cutter would be very handy to have. I should have put a small one together back then. [/QUOTE]