When you select your shop for the major machining operations, you might ask them about doing a couple extra little operations that will make your inline a much easier engine to assemble and maintain. These are, drilling for the full-flow filter system, drilling and taping the crank so you can draw the harmonic balancer on instead of pressing (pounding) it on, and tapping the front main cap so that you can R&R the timing cover without having to pull the oil pan. Also adding a FelPro Speedy sleeve to the rear main seal surface on the crank will eliminate rear main leakage issues using the modern seals. These mods are best made when the block is disassembled.
These modifications, especially modifying the oiling system, have improved oiling to the bearings, increased oil pressure at the gauge and using the spin-on modern filter, makes oil changes a simple and neat process. Tapping the crank and using the SBC balancer bolt and washer also make it easy to draw on and seat the balancer, and to turn the engine over using a breaker bar and a socket.
These modifications on my engine set me back $60.00 in additional machining costs. Details of the process are outlined in "tech tips." I provided my machinist with a printed copy of these instructions. It might be an option you would want to consider.
Dave
