rebuild of 68z/28 engine questions..

[black69]

I got a 20K mile z/28 from a neighbor and he had the engine rebuilt in 94 and let is sit all apart for 30 yrs. Block just needed light hone recently and new rings but kept at 30 over and they put new cam bearings in it and freeze plugs. But all the $1500 work they did to the engine back in 94 remains intact.

Heads never on. He bought in 94 a new Crane cam with the stock z/28 profile and new crane solid lifters. Both in boxes.

Reason for the post, is the second owner who had the car from 76 to the late 80s, has me scared on a few things. He said even though the assembled heads are fresh but sat, he said I should have all the shims plus spring heights checked, check the springs in a tester my engine builder friend likely has, otherwise he said I run the risk if any thing is off in a solid lifter engine, all hell breaks loose if I want to run it up to 7500.

He said I am lucky I got a non offshore cam (1994) as he said anything now is crap. When he says I may window the block by assuming things are ok, I panic.

I respect the second owner's opinions as he kept the car in great shape as a cross-ram car that the first owner had on it, and managed the realities of keeping idle above 2500rpm, and then ran it all the time between 3000-7500. he said he was always keeping the valve adjustments spot on, and had valve covers off alot. I am returning the engine to a stock setup, no cross-ram yet for me. I may not get the nitrous like rush he said the cross-ram gave at max rpm, but will be happy atleast bringing it back to life to have fun with.

Opinions appreciated (new old springs on the never mounted assembled heads ok? recheck height and spring performance? 94 vintage 'z/28'crane cam ok to use?)