Midget n EngineTweekerBoy, if you want to deck the block, you could talk to Gates about belt availability. I was recently introduced to a belt drive engineer at Gates. I could send you some contact info if you want to help in picking your direction.
Thanks, Stainless, but other than a spark-out skim for flatness, we do NOT want to deck the block, for a number of reasons.
1. The through-bolts that attach the head through the cylinder case and to the girdle would probably have to be custom cut. I shudder to think what ARP would charge for that.
2. The water pump drives off of the timing belt, and yes, we could dummy up an idler and go with an outboard pump, but between that and the tensioner adjustment, the engineering is already in place and is reliable.
3. The end goal is about a 120 - 130 hp DOHC 4 valve. We're pretty confident that can be achieved without having to dance too close to the edge.
4. Most importantly - at the end of the day, I'm the poor SOB that will have to put it together. I need to make it goof-proof, because sometimes, I'm a goof.