Freddie 10-4 will do!

What a coincidence! I've only heard great things about that setup, let me know if you fire it up at your place I will come by!
Jose

You might want to ask your machinist to drill the extra cooling holes in the deck of your block which work with todays head gaskets, if your running a factory steel shim gasket you can omit the holes.

I definitely appreciate your advice. We are running Cometic MLS gaskets that will work with the block and heads as is so we are good.

Engine Progress. I found a 198 intake and I'm very happy with it. I was originally going to use a 512 standard bore block but it needed sleeves so I went with a very good standard bore 959 block (bored .040 over now). I requested the cam step nosed which is great since the cam uses a thrust plate instead of thrust button.

Original lift brackets will be installed once they are back to bare metal.

Plan is to get it painted this week. Now I need to make room in my storage.
If any of you want the original LS7 valve springs removed from the heads I still have them.

I'm very happy with the outcome and I'm over not using the 512 block.

I decided to use the 198 after speaking with Chris Straub since the cam would prefer that setup over an intake with a full divider. Of course a modern single plane would be best but that's not the theme of the build. Also, the GM power handbook states how to stagger jet a standard 850 double pumper for the engine to run right with a 198. I didn't know this beforehand and was afraid I'd have to use a ZL1 carb with the special tabbed boosters. Turns out I will be just fine.

Very nice.

There was a minor miscommunication with my engine builder that was quickly sorted out. The GM washers are now installed under the GM head bolts.

I also put a coat of paint on the block the photo was taken before the washers were installed. Unfortunately with stock cork gaskets, the drippers just touch the poly locks so we are going to use thick cork gaskets instead and that should hopefully do the trick. A little bummed I won't be able to use the stock GM valve cover bolts but oh well.

----Why not just trim the tabs just a bit?.....Bill S

Bill thank you for the suggestion. I asked Cometic if that was something I could do without damaging the integrity of the gasket. I'm waiting for their response.

Headers and plug wires will hide those. I've got them on mine too.

Looks Killer! I didn't even think about how they would be hidden. I won't even bother with trimming them and taking a risk. Thank You! Your posts are always helpful!