[DAVID GAGNARD]

Dan;

Nothing wrong with putting it together for a trial fit yourself,only way to learn..... I trust my machinest with my stuff,he has a college degree in Industrail Technology and is one of the few CNC trained guys around here and my cousin to boot.......top notch machinest,born and raised in a machine shop,then went to college to really learn the ins and outs of machine work and engine dynamics,can make just about anything from nothing if you give him an idea of what you want........


I prefer to wait until my engines are fully assembled before painting them,just my personal preference.....then I use an old set of valve covers just to cover up the top of the heads before painting.......


One other thing I'd suggest for anyone building an engine,once you have the crank/rods/pistons/cam installed and before you bolt on the heads,I like to install my timing chain cover and harmonic balancer,then bring # 1 piston to TDC and check my timing pointer and adjust if needed,that way I know everything is spot on...... I have seen some bolt on timing pointers that are slotted and can be moved 2 to 4 degress depending how you bolt them on.....Once this is done,I then outline the outside of the timing pointer with a felt pin just in case I have to remove it so it will re-installed in the same postion.....

David