Amazingly, the car is done. They managed to put the engine together Thursday evening. It starts and drives. I have seen it. They will keep it, so that they can run it for a day or two to iron out any teething issues that may arise (e.g. timing, overheating, etc?). The engine sounded quieter (probably all in the mind). They didn't waste any time. I took the car in Tuesday last week. If not for slight delay obtaining the valves, it would have been finished Friday last week.
I am soooooo excited!