Ok. I'm compiling a list of possible short block donors after doing some reading today. This is what I've come up with so far while searching car-part.com as far as vehicles and year ranges that may work. This isn't a definitive or confirmed list, but just what I've found that is available right now that cross references. I'm hoping this will serve as a future list for anyone else finding themselves in this position.

2002-2005 Kia Sedona
2003-2006 Kia Sorento
2003-2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
2002-2004 Hyundai XG Series
1997-2004 Mitsubishi Diamante

There may be other years and models to add to this list later, but I'm hoping once PAJ and I get my engine out, I can take a bunch of pics and head to the yards to see if any of these vehicles listed above will serve as donors for our short blocks.

JohnB: HF has their 1000lb engine stand on sale for $60 right now, so I'm going to pick that up today. Just can't pass up a sale. I may still need to borrow your stand in the future if I find a usable short block from a salvage yard. Then I can swap things over from my engine to the new(er) short block, and keep my short block on my stand for a future rebuild if that is the route I need to go.

Anyone know off hand what size bolts I will need to bolt the engine to the stand? I need to pick some of those up this weekend also if PAJ and I are going to rip this thing out.

PA JERO: I'm going to do some prep work tonight and tomorrow so let me know what your schedule looks like this weekend. Hopefully we can get together and get this thing on the stand this weekend, and then I can pick it apart over the next week in between working on Lloyd's engine to see what is wrong with it and know what route I need to take (heads, short block, whatever)

If anyone feels like making the long trek out to the far east valley this weekend you are welcome to come by to point and grunt, and carry on like a bunch of men. Give me a heads up and I will be sure to have plenty of refreshments on hand. The taco bell is only about 15 minutes away for some volcano tacos.