So I bought another used donor 390 for parts.  I started to tear it down and noticed it had hardly been run, the bottom end looks brand new!  I was also happy to see a Melling HV oil pump in there - score!  But alas, I pulled the pump and tried to turn it and it was locked.  I also noticed the pump drive shaft was stuck fast in the distributor shaft - I mean it will not come out!  Removing the bottom cover of the oil pump reveals the small gear was driven so hard into the cover plate that it ground chunks off of the plate and locked itself up.  So...lesson learned to always check oil pump driveshaft clearance!
Anyone care to share a procedure for doing so?
Thanks!

Greetings,
I'm getting ready to start assembly of my 482 S.O. stroker, bought a 390 donor for some sheet metal and spare parts/cores, it has an Edelbrock intake which I assumed was a 7105 but, upon further inspection, appears to be a 2105 (stamped "Performer 390").
What am I giving up by using this intake?  Can it be easily modified to perform more like a 7105?
Heads = BBM alum, Comp 292H cam, ~10.4:1 comp., est redline = 6200.
1969 Torino Cobra, ~3500 lbs, CR 4-speed, 3.50 rear, hp street cruiser/some strip, looking for BIG midrange torque 2500 -5500rpm.
Thanks ahead of time!

My first FE build, a 1968 side oiler service block. 
I've installed the engine in the car, almost ready to fire it up, priming the oiling system, drill is on high speed counterclockwise spin, 4 qts of oil pumped onto the floor in less than 30 seconds through a hole machined in the block drivers side rear! 
The hole is just outside the flange of my oil pan facing down.  I believe it's connected to the bypass valve in the back of the block.  My bypass valve is new.
What happened?  I'm assuming the drill on high spiked the oil pressure which opened the pressure bypass valve and shot oil out of the hole.  I'm assuming the hole should have a plug. 
Is this correct?  Any thoughts or advice on this problem?

I'm building my first side oiler.  The bottom rear drivers side of the block has 2 larger threaded holes, one threaded hole on the oil pan rail (outside the pan), and one plugged hole on the journal leading to the rear main bearing.  The oil pump I installed has a built in bypass valve.  My plan is to plug all of the holes and forget about the rear mounted bypass valve.  Have I missed anything?  Any thoughts?
I also have a larger hole in front of the oil filter mount which I plugged (service block).  Is this typical?

I found these in the trunk of my '69 Cobra - any idea what they are?  My guess is motor mounts - but for this car or something else?