The victory was short lived. The following week after attempting (and failing) emissions, there was a slight, but audible tick from the "new" engine. Drained the oil again and this poor engine was also blessed by a unicorn, only much worse. Well at least the original engine was out and could be rebuilt. Months pass and that engine sat on the stand, eventually I decided I probably just needed to send it off and let a professional handle it.
After being off for a few months I got a call from the shop; while boring the cylinders they found a crack in the block. That was a busy weekend pulling the other engine and tearing it down, finding vertical "crosshatch" on #3 so that was neat. Back to the machine shop, and the block was good!
Engine rebuild was finished not long after, got all the goodies put on, dropped in with a new LUK clutch, and the clutch pedal dropped to the floor. With a new baby and in the middle of a Phoenix July, I decided again that a professional can deal with this. ( I routed the clutch cable wrong)
While under the knife I gave Elliot, the Zook whisperer, full power (within reason) to inspect and replace what was necessary. Bad fuel pump, bad power steering pump, cracked throttle body, complete reseal of the front diff, this, that, the other and the kitchen sink. But finally she was ready to come home.
