Walt, Thanks. The Protect-o-Plate matches the block number. The date code is 04D, but have not researched what this means. What is "ROA pres"
Well, one of the reasons I love western Wyoming is the fact that there are not many people (not to mention the winter elk herd in the canyon I live in), the flip side is there are no machine shops that have worked on a nailhead in close proximity or for that matter any that I'm at all familiar with. So, I've loaded up the block, heads, crank, etc and we are off to SW Nebraska to visit my parents in the morning. Will deliver the motor to the local, reputable machine shop while there. A little apprehensive about it because of various posts here and elsewhere cautioning about not using a machine shop unless they have extensive nailhead experience. Being a practical man I have to play the hand I'm dealt, so....wish me luck. I have been doing my research on the various considerations and have shared my concern with the owner and I believe it will be OK. I'll post some pics of the drop off (kinda feel like one of my kids is leaving the house for the first time and no longer under my control).
One question I have is whether the flex plate is unique to the motor or can any replacement be used? The gear teeth are worn significantly in a few spots which may be OK anyway. Understand that it needs to be correctly installed to ensure proper balance but is there more to it then that?