The subsequent engine run exposed that the stripped, repaired, stripped again, and repaired again spark plug threads in the head were finally toast. A new head and head gaskets were in order. “Hello, Ken? Yes it’s Jonathan. Yes, again......”
Finally, after 2 years 11 months and 17 days, or 1083 days from when I first drank 2 beers and squat lifted the engine out of the bilge by myself.....
.......it was rebuilt for the 2nd time and strapped to a pallet getting shipped back to San Francisco.
If you've seen how my luck goes with this engine, you'll know everything from this point on has gone perfectly. The engine arrived in San Francisco exactly in the same condition it left my garage in Denver, nothing went wrong in shipping whatsoever, the engine is back in my boat and my proud wife is sitting next to me at the helm station drinking her glass of white wine while our well-behaved kids brag about the unparalleled mechanical/nautical competence of their amazing Dad to their daycare friends. Did I mention that I now have 6-pack abs and "American Magic" is poised to win the America's Cup after winning every single race? Because all those things happened exactly like that.....