FINALLY, got the motor back today. Hurrah! The guy really apologize for how long it took (dropped it off mid December and now mid March). But I had planned to eventually get it done since it was an unknown quantity to me. The compression numbers were in the lower 80's as I recall with one slightly lower than the rest. Will be interesting to see when I get it stabbed and all hooked up. May even check them on the floor first. As it turns out, not sure what the original issue was as he didn't see any issues as he went thru it. He did pistons 20 over which he says you should always do just to make sure everything smooth and lined up (and I get all that extra hp), crank ok so just polished and replaced the cam, again he says he always does. I forgot to ask about lifters but I can't imagine him not when replacing the cam. I'll call just to verify tomorrow. Also said all valves good and it came with hard seats so didn't have to do anything other than standard valve job. I've already got the rebuilt starter back, as well as the generator converted to Gener-nator. Waiting on a few parts to get back from powder-coater then I'll start replacing the various oil, vacuum and fuel lines I've had in waiting. The fuel pump was already new and carb had already been totally restored. I already put a Pertronix in the distributor but had not really cleaned and painted it. I'll look inside but I'm leaning towards sending it off to the WillysDistributor.com guy to restore it. As much as I've spent might as well. The clutch was only about half way thru so I'll look into just replacing it all now while it's out.
So here's the damage so far (from memory): engine $1700, starter $350, Gener-Nator $1,000 (with shipping), Pertronix $100, carb restore $216, fuel pump with glass bowl and dual action $50 replacement exhaust manifold $75 (was not necessary but I hated looking at the pitting), water pump $65, radiator $80, miscellaneous hoses, belt, plus, wires, cap, rotor, coil, choke/throttle cables, oil/gas/vacuum lines, motor mounts, battery, etc, I'm guessing another $500 and throw in another couple hundred for what I had powder coated. So I'm approaching $4500, plus tires $800, wiring harness $240, soft top $1000, NOS speedo $200, seat belts $100, roll bar $200, front hubs $50 and who know what else I've forgotten.
Still left: create back seat and upholstery all 3, pull body and do minor body work and paint, have tranny and TC gone thru, disc brakes up front (have the Geo version back plates already) and 11" rear, rebuilt Ross box and whatever steering components, plus whatever else comes up.
Damn this adds up in a hurry.......someone start a go fund me account.