Just went to visit my baby at the shop. Diagnosis (after the motor came out) was:

Two bad exhaust cams
Beginnings of HG failure - 3 head bolts not holding torque
Rodent condo in the intake manifold
Carbon, carbon, carbon
Half case seal leak

Is there anything I missed?

Everything's fixable. It's time to roll up your sleeves and get to work.

It's time to roll up your sleeves and get to work.

:thehand: Not me mon... I'd mess up my manicure :crying: I sent it to somebody who has the tools, time and experience. Heads are already at the machine shop and he's starting to pull the motor out of the cradle tomorrow.

If you are doing it yourself it won't be much harder than just doing the HG's. If a shop is doing it, it will add up fast. It might be better to look for a different engine. What is your plan?

The block is already certed - another 3-4 hours labor for the half-case seal. In for a penny, in for a pound. Hopefully when its done its done. From what I've seen for yard prices this will get me a rebuilt VIN 9 N* for the cost of a yard long block.