[Brian Baker]

Checklist? Shouldn't everyone have a checklist when assembling a race engine, regardless of the make/manufacturer of the block/heads/parts/etc.???

I shared my experience with roller lifters in a FACTORY block. Should one expect that the same lifters would just "drop right in" the IA2 block?

As Bob stated in an earlier post, Steve was offered another block in replacement for this one...Steve refused. I know of one Maryland racer that had a serious issue with a block. That block was picked up within 24 hrs. of notifying AllPontiac, and a new replacement delivered within 72 hrs. Issues can be expected, even when the utmost in preperation is done. It's how the issues are handled afterwards that count.

Could Steve still have had issues with another block had he taken Bob's offer to replace this one? Dunno, but for Steve to make a comment such as "...just more additional expense passed on to me. Plus I have one pissed off machinist with this and other time consuming issues he has had to deal with on the block" after he was offered another block is not fair.

As for "pissed off machinist"? This one I don't understand, as any machinist worth his/her salt understands that whenever you are assembling an engine entirely from aftermarket parts, issues with fit will arrise. Additionally, getting upset over decking one side of the block .005" to make it symetrical with the other side (in respect to deck height) is a bit ridiculous.