It's a case where I let the schedule get away from me, but looking back, what would I have done different?
Would I have been a constant PITA to Steve Dermjian on the sleeves? No, and the reason why is because he's the best in the business, and Mark will attest to the EXCELLENT work he did on making the Darton Sleeves work. That block came back from Steve's shop with virtually no warpage, and the sleeve install was exceptional. It was worth the wait.
Would I have called and bitched to the guys at T&T? I was already a pain in their sphincters, and I was a bit cranky about some stuff, but they always made me feel welcome, offering me full use of the shop, providing sharp insights and good friendship. It would be dead wrong, beyond ungracious, and verge on immoral to point any fingers that way.
Mike Hart's machine work and engineering prowess was always timely and beyond the call.
Mel and the guys at C&S always delivered in a timely basis.
Diamond Pistons came through in a big way, and while the time it took going back-and-forth with them was frustrating on my end, I recognize as a service professional that sometimes the fastest way to get something done right is to slow down the process a tad. Huge kudos to Diamond.
Mark's time - good lord - this thing would still be a lump of used castings in my basement if not for Mark's input. My goal with respect to Mark, a small-bore engine specialist and who is making no bones of the fact that he's winding down his career, is to give him a truly unique, world class, high profile engine that he can hang his hat on - something he can brag to his great grandchildren about, and this build diary, a documentation of his methods and a showcase for his talents. While the "proof of the pudding" is still in the future, it's my hope we've made huge steps forward in that department.
No, at this point, the clock ran down, and I didn't get it across the finish line.
The upside is that I've had a crash course - and I'll emphasize the word "CRASH" in this statement - but a genuinely intense crash course on EFI.
At the end of the day - and it won't be this day - but at the end of the day, I'll be a smarter builder for it.
To everyone who has contributed comments, suggestions, encouragement, cautions, criticisms, and playful banter to this thread, THANK YOU! If not for you, especially on days where my motivation was lacking, it wouldn't be this far along.
The Milwaukee Midget is not so much powered by an engine as it is powered by this community. I'm humbled and proud to be a conduit and recipient of this support.
Chris Conrad