Well pulling the exhaust manifolds to fix the exhaust leaks proved to be a bigger pain than originally planned. Several of the bolts that are exposed to the weather had gotten quite rusty and snapped off in the heads.

Well the decision was made to pull the motor and go through the entire thing as we had it down to the "short block" in the car. So outcomes the engine, that way the rest of the frost plugs can be replaced the block cleaned inside and out and freshen up andthing that might need attention.

Some good news! The motor is actually in pretty good condition. All the bearings were STD and will remain that way. The cylinders only needed a quick hone to break the glaze and seat the new rings. All the other “normal rebuild” parts were replaced as well. The heads went to the machine shop to be "trued" and to have the stubborn bolts removed.

The motor assembly went without a hitch and is looking pretty nice on the stand waiting to be reinstalled.