Be damned if I didn't talk to the nicest guy on the planet earth about my engine, 2 hours away. Knew what torque plates were (I was told nobody did that here!,) gave me pricing, can get pistons, knows what rings to use and the cylinder finishes required, what RA for MLS gaskets, can do a multi angle valve job on the heads, etc, etc...
Everything together, with possibly not required machine work like decking and polishing the crank, and the valve job, $1515. So add a bunch on and I'm right at the $2000.
I'm doing it!
Exciting.