Well that's the engine work completed. Total came to £4,421 inc. vat. A definite gulp moment and about £800 over the original estimate. However no stone has been left unturned. So, if I remember correctly (or maybe I'll look ay my list!), this includes new bespoke JE forged pistons, cast iron repair liners, modify liners to suit application, oil pick up pipe strengthener, head adapted for steam vent kit, stepped stud solution for damaged head stud/thread (now M16 in block and exposed stud M12, pretty solid!), head gasket set, bottom end gasket set, correct thickness cometic HG, main bearing set, big end bearing set, bore block to suit flanged liners and fit liners, bore and hone cylinder block with torque plate fitted, reface cylinder block to flat, reface block top with liners fitted to obtain correct protrusion, remove and refit studs to block top, reface cylinder head, check and polish crankshaft, check con rods for size and hone if necessary, strip + wash off parts + inspect parts + rebuild short motor, 4 x balance shaft bearings.
On top of this I've had to acquire a nearly new oil pump (free, thanks Simon!) and also a full clutch kit including uprated cup friction plate (at £410 this ended up cheaper than a stock kit), steam vent kit (£46) and I'm already out £685 for parts needed at my end for refitting to car.
Total so far: £5,562. I still have to pay for the labour at this end for removal/strip/rebuild/re-fit to car. Wild guess this probably be at least another £1.5k.
So all in about £7k. Had budgeted for £6k but the JE pistons ended up dearer than the original Wossners (£100 or so, not too bad for bespoke), the stud issue to fix, balance shaft bearings and other incidentals that I've forgotten at the engine builder.
So what do we think, I'm hoping this represents fairly good value for money and a good solution and a mostly fresh engine that should outlast me!
Cheers
Stuart