my 1st experiance was the werst.i lost 3K and nothing to show for it.the engine builder still rips off people in lima ohio.get it checked by some1 else what ever way you can is better than loosing it all.

I used to have an engine builder that I would keep a candle in his shop and used to hold Candle Light Vigils until my stuff was done. Helped a little. My guys dyno everything. You always find stupid, minor leaks etc. Plus if the motor is a pooch, you can [Edited by Moparts - Family Friendly Site - Keep it clean]!

Find another builder! First off, if he can't deliver it on time then he's not a professional.

Lash should have been set, checked, and re-checked! Period!

Finish on heads and block should have been suitable for the gasket chosen, whether it was chosen by him or you.

This "I can't guarantee cometic gaskets" is a cop-out and a lame excuse for inferior workmanship, and a failure to pay attention to details.

The bolt on the balancer should have been installed, properly torqued, and secured with lock-tite.

This guy is no engine builder. He's a bolt-it together-er.

Now, if it helps, I always fire my engines up without water and coolant, bring up to operating temp, and shut-down and allow to completely cool. If it has aluminum heads I then retorque.

We agree.. thanks

I would try the bars seal, re torque head,set lash and basic tune, swap oil filters and cut up the first filter and inspect, if it does not scare you, put a new filter on & run some time on it with no load , check oil temps and inspect another oil filter , the 2nd one should be clean or real close to it, if its full of bearing or metal I would contact the shop that built it.

Take the engine to someone who knows. Have them tear it down and reassemble. Sorry

Too many band-aid fixer posts........ Have someone else build it