I am always happy to help Mike. You can PM me or send me an email via the forum. Or, we can just 'talk' here so that others can contribute and/or learn from the discussion. But, I do need to warn you that I am probably not much more knowledgeable than you; just a little more experienced at this point. My 1789 engine is the one and only engine I have ever built. Almost all that I know about building an Alpine engine I learned here from other SAOCA members. In particular, Jim E was incredibly helpful to me and electronically held my hand every step of the way.
I documented my engine build in an article for the club's old newsletter, The Marque. That article is available through the SAOCA Info tab on this website. Here is the direct link:
http://www.sunbeamalpine.org/alpine_marque/issue_11.pdf If you are considering the Chevy Rod modification - something I highly recommend; everyone I know who has done it was happy with the results - you should also read the article Jan Servaites wrote a few months later:
http://www.sunbeamalpine.org/alpine_marque/issue_14.pdf. Jan has probably forgotten more about Alpine engines than I will ever know and his rods were slightly different from mine, so careful measurement is important.
And, while I am linking to old Marque articles, Jim E's "More Power" article should be required reading of anyone looking to enhance their engine:
http://www.sunbeamalpine.org/alpine_marque/issue_13.pdf
So, now on to your specific questions. My head was originally re-worked by Jim, who did the Vizard Mod on it. (Also documented on this site. See
http://www.sunbeamalpine.org/downloads/Vizard Mod.pdf) The head had been damaged by the coolant leak so the first thing Lee did was repair the damage. He then did some further porting work to make it flow better. In all honesty, I don't know how different it was in the end from what Jim did. My guess is that it was primarily just a little more 'polished' in the sense that Lee has the equipment to fine tune it and get each cylinder maximized and exactly the same. He did install hardened seats and such.
As for the rest of the story, I am sure that is documented here somewhere, but the new radiator worked perfectly. I never really had trouble with the car overheating, but I have so much time and money invested in the engine that the extra expense seemed like cheap insurance. I drive the car almost every day in nice weather and continued to tweak it in the ensuing years. Many long time members here still remember my flirtation with DCOE carburetors. I loved the way they made the car respond and sound and will one day try them again, but I could never get them properly synchronized and finally gave up. Unfortunately, I realized after months of trying that the problem was with my manifold, not the carbs, which is why I will try again. The most recent change is to a Weber 38 DGES downdraft carb, which I really like. (
http://www.sunbeamalpine.org/forum/showthread.php?t=23364) I have a couple of projects on the drawing board (electronic fuel pump and some distributor modifications/changes) but can't seem to find the time to get to them. That is what happens when you retire. All the time in the world evaporates very quickly. I don't know how I ever found the time to work!
Have fun and fire away with questions. This club is the best thing that has happened to Sunbeam ownership, at least in my 40 years of experience!