Been a while, figured I'd post an update.
Engine was dropped off on May 13th. Was told then that I could expect a 3-4 week lead time. Not great, but pretty typical and not a huge issue. That was figuring on the block needing little more than cleaning, honing, and new cam bearings, as it appeared when delivered.
5 weeks later I call them to find out that they had only looked at it and decided to give it an evaporust bath before starting. That's not too big a deal, it did come out of a Rust Belt Explorer and the oustide of the block was pretty rusty, but when delivered the bores were good. Week 6 I call again and find out that there was pitting in the cylinders and needs to be bored. Of course they wouldn't admit it, but apparently they left the block out in the rain and the bores got a little rusty. I spent the next day, the "Juneteenth" work holiday, driving up to Summit to buy pistons, rings, and bearings. July 5 I got my block back and got it assembled that weekend.
Top end... As mentioned in the last post, part of the parts were delivered on June 7th. I think it was the next week that the intake arrived. June 18th I was told by the porter that one head was finished and the other almost done. When I got the short block done, I still didn't have heads, so asked for an update and was told on July 10th that I'd have them in a few days.
With everything lined up the new short block was dropped into the truck over the weekend of the 13th. I was installing it on my Birthday while someone was taking pot shots at Trump during a rally. Hell of a day! Another week gone, shot block in the truck, and still no heads. As of Thursday they still haven't given me a definite on when they will be shipping. Trying to placate me with "everything will be fine". Not exactly what I asked, I just need to know when I'll be getting them to know if I'm waiting or reinstalling the stock stuff for time being.
If I don't have shipping confirmation tomorrow showing that they are scheduled for delivery this week, the stock top end is going back on for now. I've got a trip that I intend to take the truck on at the beginning of September, no truck, no trip. To meet that goal it needs to be driving at the beginning of August so I can get the engine broke in, alignment and exhaust done, and some shakedown miles. Still might not make it, but without that I'm not even trying.
Anyhow that's the latest. Hoping that by the end if the week I'll be installing new heads and have it driving next week.
the last thing you want it a lean or rich condition on your new rebuild
