HOT ROD MAGAZINE SAYS THESE ARE THE TOP FIFTEEN MISTAKES MADE WHILE BUILDING
 AN ENGINE.

 1) IMPROPER OR EXCESSIVE USE OF RTV SEALER
 2) IMPROPER TIMING CHAIN INSTALLATION
 3) INCORRECT PISTON RING INSTALLATION (CHAMFERED OR DOT STAMP UP)
    (** PONTIAC BEVEL DOWN !! **)
 4) BAD VALVETRAIN GEOMETRY, BINDING OR INTERFERENCE; INCORRECT VALVE LASH
 5) LIFTERS NOT MATCHED WITH PROPER CAM LOBES (REUSED PARTS ONLY)
 6) PISTON TO VALVE INTERFERENCE
 7) INCORRECT DISTRIBUTOR INSTALLATION
 8) FAILURE TO GET ALL COMPONENTS ABSOLUTELY CLEAN BEFORE ASSEMBLY
 9) TOO MUCH CAM, CARBURATOR, COMPRESSION, OR WHATEVER
10) WRONG OR UNKNOWN TRUE COMPRESSION RATIO; IMPROPER QUENCH
11) IMPROPER CONNECTING ROD INSTALLATION
12) REAR MAIN SEAL LIP FACING THE WRONG WAY
13) BEATING ON BALANCER OR CRANK SPROCKET WITH A HAMMER
14) PISTON VALVE RELIEFS FACING THE WRONG WAY
15) IMPROPER CLEARANCE BETWEEN OIL PUMP PICKUP AND OIL PAN