Sorry folks got held up with other projects/fires..!
Again thanks for all your input and details on this thread really good feedback.
Had a chance to polished the rod journals with 600/800/1000 grid wet just going slightly over them. I check the clearance and all were within specs between 0.002” and 0.003” with the new bearings, Service Manual states above 0.0045” would require to replace the bearings.
I did a quick check on the main journal bearings and the two center one were perfect. I check them with plasticgage and were within tolerance, I’ve also slightly hone the cylinders.
I’ve decided to clock the ring gaps at 180 degree between top and second compression as well as the oil rings with a 90 degree separation between them and 45 degree from the center pin. The black marks on the pistons are the guide I’ve used to get them aligned.
Was able to get two in yesterday #3 and #4 it took me a bit longer by myself and with the block in the car still, so I raised a “help flag” for the family to help this weekend to get the rest in. Not sure how much this help will cost me or my wife in grandkids babysitting fees.
Just need the time to get the heads over to the shop to be check and recondition.
The engine was done by a local machine shop around 2009-2010 and it sat on a portable roller for a few more years after it was done while I was getting the interior and body done. I’m not sure what the old timer may had for reference at that time at his shop since he was a one man shop (with some temp helpers).
What got me into this path was as I had mention above was the fouled spark plugs and smoking with two different heads (390 first and 365 now) on the engine. When I discover the rings were (IMO) clocked incorrectly and the gap was way above the specs. So only thing I can speculate at this stage the problem was caused by the shop, not sure if it was the owner itself or the helper whom assemble the block.
