Mr. Hudgins,
I respect your knowledge and experience when it comes to chassis design, but I think I'm gonna disagree with your priorities on AL's engine start.
After 3.5 years, there will be no
oil on the cylinders/pistons/rings. There will most likely be no
oil up top either....on the cam, lifters, etc., and all the
oil has probably ran off everything else. If I had built this engine and AL fired this thing up without priming the pump (engine has been drained of fluids, so pump has lost prime as well), all support and warranties would be null and void...and I would probably pass on any gasket/seal warranty after this point any way.
Bottom line is, the pump needs to be primed after filling and the entire engine needs to be as lubed as it can get, BEFORE firing.
I would also have to disagree with your WD statements. As mentioned above, I would bet on not having a lick of any lubricant on the cylinders, and it will need WD, motor oil, ATF, etc., in the cylinders before he turns it over. I know some engine builders who only use a light spray of WD on the cylinders while assembling. It flashes off and the oil splash replaces it.
As for pulling the dist to prime the pump, if he's not familiar with how to get the dist back in and timed so the engine will fire, I can explain it to him in several sentences, and if he follows my instructions, I guarantee it to light off within a few seconds with no drama.
With as much money as he has in this engine, I would be treating it with kid gloves at this point.