Dude I feel your pain. The machine shop has had my Ram engine for 7 months now. I realize its just one guy but damn. Everytime I call him he says "I'm working towards it" At first I didn't care cause it was cold and I didn't have all the parts but I basically have everything I need now. My friend that was gonna help me put it back together goes back to college in less then a month now and I'm still waiting. Only good thing (well maybe not so good lol) I keep making money and I decide on even more parts to add. Like you I don't wanna hound him too much and have him half ass the build. He also said he would go over checking clearances and push rod length with me so I don't wanna piss him off to where he's like screw you I'm not helping with ****
I was planing on getting it done then tearing into the car this summer. Thought I could pull off having both my toys back in service. This just makes me wanna build the 514 even faster.