Per chance do you get down to Vegas ever? I have an A12 short block (was a good running motor) that you can have for free. The only thing I don't have for it is an oil pan but you have one already. You can take the A15 round port head if you need it.

I also have another A12GX short block that was my spare before I switched to A14 power. Naturally I'd want money for that but you can have it for what the machine shop charged me plus the parts cost ($375-400) I'll give you the receipts. I have 74mm flat top pistons. I even have a 14lb A15 flywheel that would be perfect for the 60 series box. Again I'll throw in everything I have for A12s; gaskets, extra crank, bearings, distributors etc. I'd like clear out some space in my garage.

As for cost of fixing you're block a few years ago when I built the A15 it needed a sleeve; price for boring the block, installing the sleeve decking the block and installing pistons on rods was $450.

Tom