I saw your thread about transport first, then read this thread. Every post.
I knew from the transport thread, who sold you the truck. I was thinking the entire time that this doesn't sound right. They are amazing people do deal with, about as honest and fair as you'd ever meet. They are the type of people you can do business with on a handshake, and that is rare today.
At the end of this thread it became apparent that they did the right thing. That's the way they are. I'd be confident that if they chose the take out for you, it would be gone through to the point that you won't have to worry about this or any other engine problems again for quite a few miles.
On the flip side, I saw a new crated engine last time I was there. Too steep for my wallet, but God **** it was beautiful.
I'm glad this is being resolved to your satisfaction. Regarding time, money and headache, you're both losing, but had you purchased from someone else, you could be losing A LOT more.
They're good people and a huge asset to this hobby and to my personal collection.
Mikey