[opelspyder]

I have been lacking in my posts, but here is an update. I have been in the middle of wiring my shop, as time change and weather has persuaded me to make this priority. The engine machine work is done now, and I will be assembling the 2.0 shortblock. I don't know how far in depth I want to get into this, but we will snap some pics of fitting the crank and plastigauging the bearings. The specs on the engine are as follows:
Cylinders bored and honed to accept 2.0 Pistons
The deck (top of engine block) machined with a truing cut-only the bare minimum was removed to ensure flatness.
Freeze plugs replaced, and rear oil gallery plug has been tapped and plugged.
Crank has been machined .010 undersized on main journals, and .020 on rod journals
Machined with a honing/boring plate
Rods installed on pistons
Pistons matched to cylinders

I have only had the necessary thing done to ensure a relible engine. Nothing crazy was done during the machine work, like the deck cut way down or pistons extended out of the block. I just had everything machined for a good reliable engine. So please note this. I would consider this the way to go on a stock rebuild, not just a hopped up engine. I've seen other things done and machined, but I feel this is a good overall rebuild to follow when having yours done. Have them machine each piston to it's bore. Some shops will bore the block out to all the same size, reguardless off piston deminsions. Also you can have the machine shop balance the pistons and the rods, and blueprint your engine a little more. Then balance the rods and piston assemblies. Pistons are usually balanced with the use of a drill bit, slowly removing material on the inside of the piston. (NOTE: I recommend the use of a ball-end mill for this procedure as drills have a sharp square edge they will leave inside the piston that could develop a crack.) Ask my father how he knows this when rebuilding a Mopar block, as the crack was tough to find. The shop I use is pretty reasonable, and the work that comes out seems to be in good quality.