Thanks. I'm starting to suspect that I have a 440 base plate. The throat only extends about 3/4" past the main plate and even though there's a dimple, there is no hole to allow for the rod.
Anyone wanna swap their 383 base for my 440 base ?
You can still use the Shaker base plate you have, all you will have to do is drill a hole in it to allow for the rod is all, i will have to dig out a picture for you of the rod, i have it on another USB stick somewhere, i think i know where it is, so i will dig it out and show you. But remember in doing this, it will drop the complete Shaker unit as a whole down substantially, it looks as if your Shaker is sitting high in your signature picture, when looking front on at a Shaker scoop on either a 440 or HEMI car, the bottom of the Shaker grilles are level with the trim ring on the hood, when you have a 340 or 383 engine, the whole Shaker assembly drops down lower in the hole in the hood. Just make sure this is what you want as it is visually a very big difference.
I will dig out the picture regardless and show you.