I think I'm going a different route, sorry!

That was my thought too. Also kind of seals it some. Though a few scratches and some rainy days may still take a toll on it here in Oregon..

a fellow racer has graciously let me use his shop space and tools to get going on the motor assembly.
finally got around to it yesterday and while I didn't get a lot done, I now know the parts I still need... or some of them.

I have 148mm (2.7L) factory head studs, brand new, which are the correct length, but now people are telling me to go with ARP.
Well the ARP studs I have are 168mm, so too long. They don't make 148mm listed under 944, so I'm going to call and see if they can find the correct size for me.
So that held up putting the head on.
I did run some parts through the washer, which was wonderful. That oil pan.. wow.

I also remembered there was a trick to getting the cam sprocket off... Voila! pull out the end that covers the triple square bolt. Removed triple square bolt.
Now the 32mm... Oh, impact tools!
Dangit. Now I need a new cap for the cam sprocket. didn't hurt the key luckily, just the keyway on the cap.
Can't expect me to remember everything!

Also going to remove the evap system now, as the thermo valve has a cracked nipple.

Two of my lifters are no good. The cam had a little pitting on two lobes. So I have to order new lifters too.

But I've started! I replaced all the power steering lines this weekend, which was the first thing I have put back on the car in a long time. Felt good!

you know the 32mm nut on the cam isn't a nut at all, just a collar held in place by the big front bolt?

no impact or anything required.

for future reference 32mm = 1-1/4", a regular box wrench is sufficient to counter-hold while breaking the bolt loose, or a large adjustable wrench.

I know, that's why I posted the above haha. I remembered one trick, but not that that wasn't an actual nut. Dumb me.
I didn't even have to counter hold the cam - with impact and lifters in place it didn't budge!

double check the condition of the cam lobes and lifters "just in case"

the cam is already trash, it has some pitting on 2 lobes which also took out two lifters. appears to have been an ongoing thing. im only keeping the cam tower from that one, not the came nor lifters

so heres my current issue.
I paid MM to do a BS delete amongst everything. I received the block and stuff from him, it stayed in packaged, and went to the machine shop.

Now I have all my parts back together to start building, I find theres only the lower BS delete items on the motor. The cap and piece to send oil from the block to the BS cover for the turbo are not there.
The machine shop swears that there was only one, and that everything that came in came out. He would have only probably taken it off to wash it after the machine work anyways.
Michael isn't responding to texts - though I called and it went straight to a machine so it seems his phone may be off. I sent an email just in case his phone has issues. I'm HOPING that they just got left on the bench when he boxed things up and I can get it squared away. I do NOT want to have to go buy a whole BS delete kit again, or have someone machine the missing pieces.

Hopefully Michael will get in touch about the missing items.
This is all I got:
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...bb8d23bb7e.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...07883a5663.jpg

So the shop that is letting me use their space to assemble the motor (and help when needed) is confident they can just weld the drain passages from the BS cavities closed. this way I can just ditch the BS covers completely. Still a bit peeved about paying for the delete and not knowing what happened to the parts though!

be sure to use a high-silicone content welding rod if they give it a shot.

he says he has 4043 filler rod

MM is apparently out of commission for a bit, so I'll have to wait on an answer.
Luckily I can have it welded up and still proceed.

Are the parts the same for the upper and lower?

If they are the same you could send them to me and I can have them made for free at my friends shop in Calgary. I just did a tour of their facility for the first time. They are the only shop like it in North America with the capabilities that they have. The place would blow everyone's minds here on the stuff they can do.

If someone had a cad file for and engine block they could spit one out easily. He is doing some work for me right now...I need to get more info because I can't remember the names for all the equipment.

maybe LR will sell you half a BS delete kit.

The upper and lower front caps are the same, but the piece that I need for the upper oil supply has to send oil from the block to the bs cover to feed the turbo, in lieu of having a balance shaft w/ bearing.
It likely could be made with the existing one, just have to drill through, make a groove and o-ring it. Def easier at this point just to weld up and do away with the covers completely

I'm guessing LR would gladly sell me half the kit.. For full price. And they'll even throw in an extra set of lowers!