Wow... I didn't get email updates for replies to this thread, and I dunno why?

Wharbone: Probably Spring '08. I'm in the "you sent me the wrong damn part" stage that happens in every build, and I'll explain that in a bit...

HatchVX, Skabone69, thomas: Thanks for the compliments, guys.

I went out to the garage after sending my last message, started into the assembly, and blew a fuse when I figured out the main bearings and rod bearings the shop sent me were for a 7-bolt 4g63, not a 6-bolt. The difference? About 1/4" narrower main journals and the thrust bearing doesn't fit. :rant: It was a stupid mistake on the part of the shop that spec'd out the block because they handle lots of 4g63 race motors. It's a '90-92.5 "big rod" motor, and that sort of thing is really hard to miss when they took the time to install the main studs and press in the rod bolts in these gigantic rods. 7-bolt engines have main bearing girdles, and 6-bolts don't so I really don't know how they missed that. It took them a week to get me the right parts, and my new job has kept me really busy, so I didn't start doing the build until the 18th.

Status? It's built. Watch the 3-minute video below.

GO HERE: http://homepage.mac.com/jafro/iMovieTheater70.html : if you want to see it. It's like 18MB, but it streams quickly on a broadband connection.

Parts I still need:

Exhaust manifold (on its way here today)
o2 sensor (on its way here today)
Correct clutch pedal assembly
Custom-fabbed shifter plate adapter to mount 5-speed '92 shifter
Jack shaft (I don't expect anyone in here to know what a jack shaft is, so I'll explain it). It's a part of the axle shaft that extends from the transmission to the timing side of the engine with a carrier bearing and bracket that bolts to the block so the CV axle clears the AWD transfer case. It's a really hard part to find. The FWD dsm guys love these because the result of installing it is... you end up with equal-length half-shafts for both front wheels, and it greatly reduces wheel-hop and 1-wheel burnouts with a FWD setup. I won't have that problem with AWD, but I have to clear the transfer case, so I still need that part before I can install the driveline.

I have all the engine mounts already, but I have to button up the rest of these parts before installing the engine in the chassis. Once the engine is installed, I can correct the camber on the front wheels and take measurements for mounting the rear end assembly. I will still have to fab intercooler pipes and exhaust after that's done.