UPDATE 09/07/09 - Engine building: Labor day, and man, I labored. I learned a ton from my engine builder buddy....he made sure to point out all the different ways things can get jacked up as we went. My brain definately feels heavier now. We completed the long block today.
The first hour or so of the day was cleaning and prepping parts. Here's the rotating assembly all laid out on the bench.
Clean block with the main studs installed
Main caps, main bearings, and crank installed
Fitting rings and putting in rod bearings
Pistons installed. Rotating assembly and short block complete. Tightening down the oil pump.
Edelbrock heads installed and torqued down....long block complete. The intake is just sitting there to keep the engine closed up. Same applies to the pan and timing cover
Wrapped up until next weekend
I'm definately happy with what we got done today. Once the cam and lifter set comes in, we'll put the cam in and degree it. Then put on the intake, and button up the timing cover and oil pan.