[Private_collector]

Tony,

Yes, its sure important to be thorough with the testing and rebuilding. I enquired to a couple of the hotrod shops some months ago. They were both frightening with their costing. My engine budget will amount to roughly $5000 in total, including all parts and labor. Maybe financial tough times have not hit the specialist engine rebuilders, or perhaps they are used to customers with deep pockets. Mind, that was 2 places. It is quite possible that I had chosen the two most expensive shops in Queensland. I seem to have a habit of doing that in the past.

My engine has never been rebuilt before. Thats one of the positive things about it. All piston tops show the Ford logo and STD. Engine is pretty cruddy inside the chamber beneath intake manifold, though it is all congealed oil & light dirt contamination. Engine not been worked on before, but has seen its share of neglect.

About 14 months ago, there was a really good engine on ebay. It was even reasonably close to me (maybe 2 hours away, no more). It had been rebuilt by an older mechanic, and was kept mostly stock. Naturally I didnt have the money available at that time.