Well we've run into a couple of setbacks. The valve stem seals are incorrectly installed from the machine shop, I'm considering just redoing the job myself as it's a pain to return it to the machine shop. Second is the oiling system. The
oil pump is driven directly off the cam so there is no way to 'prime' the engine without spinning it over or starting it. Of course we'll fill the
oil filter first no matter what. One consideration is to remove the timing chain and spin the camshaft by itself to prime the
oil system before startup. Man, what a pain in the butt thats going to be, it's all ready assembled! How about an Accu Sump modification! The top end on these motors really seem to suffer loss of oil pressure on initial startup even after their broke in. Accu Sump may offer critical protection for the life of the motor down the road as well as break in. Expensive to buy and install, carefully weighing the options...
The darn overdrive just REFUSES to mate up with the trans output shaft. That last half inch, the tail shaft bushing! Arrrggggghhhhh, still struggling with that major issue!