The head gasket doesn’t overhang the bore in the block or the head’s combustion chamber. The rods all checked out good on both ends- bearings and bushings. The source kit doesn’t need any whittling on the oil pickup boss- #1 rod and cap screw clear by a mile.

Looks like the mockup phase of this engine build is about done. It’s crazy I think I had around $6000 in my last 408 LA build. This motor is coming in at more like $4000 and should make more power at lower rpm!

Big blocks are awesome.