Amy,
I have dumped about $10k in mine in the last 6 months. AOD, 9 inch trac lock, and now, a blower and all the stuff around it. And that is doing all my own work! And I love to spend other people’s money!!! Tim is killing himself right now!!
I never doubted your short block until you said it would not turn. Apparently you are able to roll it. I bet the new heads will get it back moving forward. The motor was more than likely “alright” from the beginning, but the misfortune of overheating on the way up blew the head gaskets.
Hang in there! Put this motor back together and use the same intake and exhaust parts. Don’t hammer it and I bet it will give you five or more years of faithful service until the economy and yourself get back on your feet.
Think of the horror stories of people buying a clone and not an original. Or poor Joe and the misfortune of a stuck throttle. It all seems daunting right now, but soon you will be happily driving.
And please take this the right way. You are one gutsy young lady to take all of this on!!!
Rob