Finally got Big Nasty running again after working out some pretty minor bugs that brought it to a standstill on the rebuild..
Torque converter kept popping out (had to pull the motor twice just to get it in and to stay) and a dampner/timing chain issue.

I went from a single to a Cloyes double roller chain and the dampner wouldn't make it the last 1/4" on to the crank. The crank gear was holding it off.

Anyone else run across this during a timing chain swap or rebuild? (It's corrected now, had to shave about 1/4" off the rear of the dampner and smooth it out)