Small update here, ended up getting another wrong front case gasket from JNZ, before they sent me another correct one free of charge. So I got the front case on the engine, OFH, pulleys, oil pan, etc. Then I realized I forgot to torque on the oil pump sprocket with the front case off the car, and now with the oil pan on, I have no way to get to it to hold it still. So I'm guessing I'll have to wait until I get the head installed and the timing belt on until I am able to torque it down now.
Anyways, now I have the motor at home and just need to get it onto the stand so I can get to the top end portion of the build.
Plugged the egr from the head yesterday:
Used a 1/4 npt plug:
Now I can bring it in to Cylinder Head Express to get it re-surfaced, hot tanked, have the guides checked, lap the valves and anything else needed to get this thing on the block and in the car.