Ok, long story short here:
Two years ago I spun the bottom end (rod bearings, caused cylinder to tap heads). Mazda AJ (duratec 3.0L v6) + 1200 miles over OCI + -2 degree morning = one of those "oh ****" moments.
Fast forward to this year, I got a spare motor that needed only rings to rebuild. Tore it down and sent it off the machine shop for cylinder honing (had no wear but to seat the rings right, honing was required). This shop had a decent price on rotating assembly balancing, and considering I was going to put a fresh light weight flywheel and new cleavite77 bearings, it should rev nicer, and get better mileage.
After dropping that off I took my heads to another shop for a 5 angle valve job. I'm not taking any chances, cause this is a b**** to drop and too expensive to tear into again.
I should have atleast the heads this week. The machine shop should be calling me because I still need to get rings, but am waiting to find out what exactly my bore is (he was supposed to check all to verify a bore of the cylinders wasn't necessary) so I can get a set of rings out to him for the balance.
I'm just anxious messing around in the garage cleaning stuff up and getting ready for this build. I will be attempting to assembly and install the motor in approximately 2 weeks.