SUCCESS!!!

I'm happy to report that after a few tips from the 4x4wire and the expedition portal posting forum I was able to finally get this engine overhaul completed. I fired up the engine a few minutes ago after following fasteddy's advice of priming the engine and it fired right up. I ran the engine for about 2 minutes before I turned it off. I was kind of forced to because all the coolant made its way into the exhaust and it kind of "fogged" me out of my garage. Tomorrow, I will let it come to full operating temperature, set the timing and put 2-10 miles on the rig. Then I will change the oil because it may be contaminated with a little coolant.

Once that is all done, I'll start the engine break in procedure with some daily driving and baby'ing the engine for the first oil change at 500 miles.