I don't know what kind of work needs to be done to a stock block but it was lifter trued for 400.00. So I would assume that would help with the lifter situation.
Talking to other engine builders they said they had a few problems with those lifters back then because of something with the manufacturers. I guess the material wasn't up to snuff. They sent there stuff back and Comp Cams replaced things for nothing.
I really never expected him to cover it for free. I knew him pretty well and offered to pay him something and he said "Don't worry about it" "I know you aren't made of money" I still expected to pay something and I would have. Not $1,800.00 just because he had to have someone else assemble it after he already assured me he would do it.
Lastly badmouthing the guy on the internet is not really what I was out to do. I wasn't happy with the situation but I never mentioned to anyone who it was. That wouldn't be right.