Ordered both

This set of ARP flywheel bolts are listed for 1987 and up engine with a one-piece rear main bearing seal, which should not fit this car, but they are closer to the originals.

Both this and the set that are advertised to fit this car were ordered. It's a luxury to do that sort of thing, but it's the only way to be sure to have the best solution available.

NAPA

Our local NAPA store offers flywheel machining service through a local person with a flywheel grinder - who knew? Turned out really well.

Gallery plug

The rear cam bearing boss is just below three pipe plugs that close up the oil galleries that serve the cam bearings and lifters. In order to clean these galleries during the rebuilding process, these must be removed along with the corresponding three welsh plugs in the front of the block.

General Motors used some sort of sealant with wizards and pit bulls in it because these were really difficult to remove. 

They have to be heated to cherry red to break up this sealant, so a nut was welded onto each one of them to remove them.

The front welsh plugs were then driven out from behind with a piece of allthread.

This block is finally ready to go to the machine shop. Now we just have to find a machine shop to take it to.

Parts

A box of parts - intake manifold gasket set, oil pan bolts and a vacuum fitting for the intake manifold - came in today.

These are rather faithful reproductions of the original parts, including the intake manifold gaskets which feature a distinctive and mysterious tab that the original gaskets featured.

Lift

As we accumulate engine parts and contemplate engine build options, a set of lifting brackets for the engine arrived. These came on each engine, but most were quickly discarded by new owners.

There's also one that goes on the bell housing.

Lead pipe copy

This reproduction oil pan is indistinguishable from the original, save for the sludge and the 356 dents in the one that came on this car.

This new one is worth every cent of what it cost.

Way a-head

The heads are back from the machine shop and they look great. Mechanically they are ready for installation.

It is a little disappointing that they were painted, but that was probably the machinist trying to do something nice for me. This is just spray paint and can be removed fairly easily. Having someone as talented as he is do this work is worth any small thing like this and then some.

This warranty bullet will have to removed before paint, but I am sure they will be fine and not need any warranty work.