You guys have provided such a comprehensive list that the only thing I can think to add is to test fire the engine if possible on the shop floor before you go to all the trouble of bolting it into the car and have to remove it if some problem develops. Doesn't have to be anything elaborate, just blocking it up so it won't move, a few temporary wires, oil in the pan, temporary tach and oil pressure gauge, a garden hose plumbed into the lower radiator hose. After prelubing it start it for a minute to see if it will start and if any leaks are present. An engine will run quite well sitting on the garage floor.

Our Techs at work do exactly that on every engine we install (and we use only brand new crate long blocks) because it saves a whole lot of work pulling it back out if a problem is found. Just last week a brand new 454 was prelubed and no oil was getting to the rockers..........we think cam bearings were installed off center. If we had installed it we would have had 20 hours labor go up in smoke.

Don