Long term engine rebuild been done for well over a few years with the engine in the engine bay and bolted to the transmission. I moved a few years ago and re-took inventory and I believe I have mostly everything ready to bolt on. I'm anxious and overwhelmed with plugging and bolting everything back up, and frankly scared about working on this thing alone with just my wits from working on a 2.5L AMC, months of watching YouTube creators build stupid things, and two repair manuals. Always had the reassurance that if I get stuck doing something or if something catastrophically failed I'd have another gearhead around to get me out of that mess, but since I moved out that's not an easily obtainable thing. Wiring diagrams are daunting, the tape on the vacuum hoses have fallen off... etc. you know long term projects that haven't seen the light of day for a while because life got in the way.

Looking for a wrenchmate(s) willing to be paid for their time in booze and grub to help me along with the more daunting parts of this outstanding project for a few weekends. Main goal is to get this old project running so I can smog it, re-register, and have a fun car again.

 

You never say where you're located.
Also, how do you "rebuild" a motor with it still in the car?

 

Did you move to OC or moved away from? Assuming that's orange county Ca, but you know what happens when one assumes.

 

OP moved so far away they lost their ability to post, it appears.

 

Took me a while because I forgot that you're supposed to put pants on before your shoes. Very tricky to get out of that mess.

Been in OC since these cars were rolling off factory floors brand new. Specifically I'm currently a (decent) stone's throw away from Disneyland in Santa Ana. I can hear and see the fireworks from my front yard every night.

So a little more history, I did pull the engine out of the car to rebuild over at my parents about 5 years ago. Doing so while it's still in the car is akin to open heart surgery in my mind. Moved out and project stalled, car sat at parents for a time.
Got the engine back in and bolted to the transmission and motor mounts. Moved again to a place I could really call my own and moved the car under my roof. The main hurdle is all the accessories, hoses, electrical, and the logistics of it all.

 

Well, if you ever get to a point you need help. Im in Irvine, so not too far away from you. Side note, a buddy of mine w/ three 3rd gens works at Disneyland.