Short Block is done, FINALLY!

You know, sometimes I wonder what happens when "professional" engine builders see "little" issues with internal engine parts - if they take the time to address them or just throw the engine together and get it out the door. Of course all of the pros that I had work on this motor are extremely detail oriented and would have address this issue.  We went to sometimes excruciating lengths to dial in this engine so it would look and feel like it did when new in 1964, but with waaay more attention to detail than was given back then. We also wanted to preserve the original stamping, tooling marks, and compression ratio - all of which further complicated and increased the cost of the build.  In the end I am extremely pleased, but man it has been TEDIOUS!

 Here's one of those kinds of "little" things...During assembly I noticed issues with the first set of rings.  I ended up removing all of the pistons and reinstalling a new set of rings after noticing a slight shiny track on the wall of a couple of cylinders.  At first I thought maybe there was a burr on the edge of the ring end left over from gapping them. On closer inspection, and after further deburring the ring ends the problem persisted.  So I ordered a new set of rings, installed them and the problem went away.  Evidently, the first set of rings had a twist - a manufacturing defect, that caused the ring end to have one corner that protruded out towards the cylinder wall, causing a light but noticeable shiny vertical mark on the cylinder wall. The mark was not detectable by sliding a fingernail across it but I was concerned that it would eventually cause a grove that would impede the free movement of the ring around the piston. 

Anyways, after regapping and replacing all of the rings, the problem is gone and were ready to button this thing up.  YEAH, FINALLY!!