[i82much]

Years ago I had a well-regarded "Pontiac expert" engine builder do a 505 for me. A failed flat tappet, blown head gasket, rod through the pan, and busted rocker stud later, I went with a local guy who specialized in Chevy engines. He busted my chops for building a Pontiac, but 850 bucks in labor and 10 years later my 505 still runs like a dream ...

[Skidmark]

Pontiac Dude charged me like 200.00 extra to break my 462 which i thought was worth it at the time. Most engine builders offer this service.

[66sprint6]

Thanks again, guys. Truthfully, I was looking for someone that would break in the newly built engine before I install it. I have been so disappointed lately with having cams and lifters go flat. The last time I tried, I lubed the cam with a proper assembly lube, used break in oil, and carefully fired up the engine as prescribed by many on this forum. The only thing I didn’t do was remove the inner springs. Frankly, I almost gave up on the car, as it wasn’t the first time it happened after all that work.
So yes, my personal preference would be to have the builder go through that process, likely in a better controlled environment, so that I can just drop it in and fire it up.
A couple of people have reached out with a possible solution, so I’ll be following those up shortly.