Hey, welcome to the boards! I am from KC too, so maybe I'll see ya crusiing around...although I currently drive a contour :runs and hides in corner:
Also, unless someone swapped trannies on you, your 91 would have had a T-5 in it also. Sounds like you have a good sized project on your hands. If you can be patient with it, I would also try to start from the inside and work out. If not, I'd get that motor in asap, roast off the old tires, then buy new rubber for it
