I guess I have to ask. I know several have touched on this being a timing/cam install issue. I guess while your chasing everything down and yes I know its more work but why not pull the timing cover and verify? Or maybe you did and I missed it?
Thanks, no I haven't removed the timing cover. Other than the valve covers, I'm trying not to go into the engine. If it ends up back in the machine shop I want to lessen the chance of any finger pointing i.e. the machinist saying "you had the timing cover off how do I know you didn't didn't change something".
It may not sound like it but I still trust the machine shop and if it ends up being a build problem I believe they will make good. At the same time I don't want to take any chances by opening the engine myself unless I absolutely have to.