Chris, re: photo of block and trans..
There is a series of four angled “spigots” on the side of the block. What are they?
Those are what are referred to as "optical illusions". What you're actually seeing is bolt recesses into the side of the girdle, but yes, they do look like spigots!
The holes are for the bolts that hold the girdle to the bottom of the block around the perimeter. The long bolts provide most of the clamp load, but in addition to the 10 long bolts, there are an additional 10 machine screws holding the girdle in place around the perimeter of the bottom of the block.
For what is going to be a 1 liter engine with a target of 135 hp, between the EN40B crank, 5 main bearings, ARP long studs and a perimeter secured girdle, I'm thinking we should be able to keep the bottom end together.