Sorry, Martin, but you're not using the term the way us "professionals" did, at least for the 60-something years I've paid the mortgage and fed my family by working on vehicles of all sorts. A "short block" is a rebuilt engine assembly less the cylinder head, water pump, and other accessories. It will usually include the timing cover, but not always. It definitely won't come with the other sheet metal such as a pushrod cover, oil pan, valve cover, etc., and it may or may not include the oil pump, depending on how the rebuilder's price schedule is set up. The sheet metal, water pump, cylinder head, and other accessories including intake and exhaust manifolds, get swapped from the take-out engine.
A "long block" is basically the same assembly as above, with the cylinder head(s) installed and torqued. Sheet metal, distributor, intake and exhaust manifolds and carburetor still get swapped from the take-out engine. A long block also usually includes a new or reconditioned oil pump, and the gaskets required to complete the assembly. As a general rule, a long block will also carry a longer warranty, since the rebuilder can enforce better quality control over the assembly of the engine. Quality rebuilders also install "heat tabs" on the freeze plugs that fall off in case the engine gets overheated due to a bad radiator, water pump, etc. after it leaves the rebuilder's facility. Overheating, or any evidence of a dirty or incompetent installation voids the warranty instantly. I get called upon to inspect rebuilt engine failures pretty frequently, and in a lot of cases the cause of the failure can be attributed to a half-donkey installation!
Now, in about 5-4-3-2-1 seconds, some self-appointed "expert" who has read at least three Hot Rod magazines and rebuilt one engine 30 years ago will post a bunch of internet search links disputing my opinion.
LOL!
Jerry
