I am okay with turning wrenches and may end up going that route. I just have a hard time trusting anyone anymore, I really need a reputable company. I paid 4K for a rebuilt motor that can’t even make it over 500 miles before it starts knocking (3 times now) with scary low oil pressure each time. LIt left my wife and daughter stranded the other day in 90 degree heat. The engine builder is very dishonest and is now making me remove the engine (at my cost) and send it back before I get my refund.
Were you able to check and see if they put the wrong o-ring on the pickup tube?
I learned to turn wrenches because I kept getting ripped off when I was a kid. We were sent to one scam artist after another, all highly praised and recommended by people who knew nothing about cars. Then I turned to my neighbor, I guy who had just moved in across the street, a long-time SEARS mechanic and drag racer, and he taught me how to work on cars and figure things out, I am forever grateful for his tutelage.
Well, if you decide to get her running yourself and are not in too much of a hurry, you've got quite a few options. You could upgrade to the L9H, adding a FlexFuel capability to the truck. You can break down the short block and send it out to be properly examined, or get a crate motor or a used motor. Lots of options.
I thought it would be fun to build a custom motor, go to 402 CID or something like that with my aluminum block fitted with wet sleeves but the 6.2 is hard to beat from an economic stand point. So I reckon when that day comes, I'll put an L9H in her and call it a day.