Ran into my first snag. #1 rod cap is ever-so-slightly rubbing on the oil pickup tube. Ugh. I should have stayed with the plan to run an external line...
Fortunately (?) it is rubbing way down near the block threads, where it looks like it has a double wall to weld on the threaded bung at the Milodon factory. I carefully clearanced the tube (I didn't want to mess with the balance rod) and now have .035" between the cap and the tube. I am thinking I need a little more, perhaps .050", to compensate for heat.
Any thoughts?