My fear lies solely in the machine shop prices.

 

No fear.
But just an example of what to expect. On my last 99 block rebuilt, I went through 6 sets of main bearings to find a combo that matched my tolerances after my crank was micro polished.

 

No surprise there, but that sounds par for the course on any engine.
Well, maybe not 6...

 

Would I be mistaken in saying that "your tolerances" were probably considerably more strict than GM's tolerances?

 

He's not the first person to have problems trying to get the right size cam bearings. I've seen a few other posts about that. I think one of the manufacturers' cam bearings are always off...clevite?

 

I did mine like this I bought the package off of EBAY came with Mahle power package includes pistons, pins and rings for what ever size you decide on. I checked Mahle makes one of the best pstons if not the best. Italked long and hard with Kurt over at Wheel to Wheel and that is all they use unless customer specified etc. They have the tightest tolerances and the skirts have an antifriction coating on them just make a few phone call and you will see what I am talking about very good quality. The rods thatk cam with that kit are made by Hawk performance and required some clearancing and balancing but the whole package cost me $745.xx to my door and MTI did the machine work and assyembled the rotating assyembly cost me $625 they provided the bearings. Took them a week and one or two days. so it cost me $1370. Plus some other misc gaskets that you will have to replace any way good luck.