and another year...

I've been driving and fixing, fixing and driving. More fixing than driving.
Power Steering pump howling...AGAIN...
The forged pistons slap like crazy, sounds like a diesel.
Sounds like the pilot bearing (which was new) is failing.
I did weld my own 2.5" exhaust, starting right after the header. High flow cat and two big Magnaflow mufflers, still sounds loud and growly, almost too much for my taste.
Motor mounts are going, I get sweet vibrations through the chassis at higher rpm.

I think I'm gonna pull the engine...again.
Fix the worst offenders and drive it though the winter. Once it warms up, buy a new short block and go back to stock pistons/displacement. While it's out, fix the pilot bearing and motor mounts. Make it nice to drive (finally)

Then I can take the bored block and put on the 20v head, work out the turbo, get things pretty, then swap the built motor back in...if i get that far.