Found the correct dowel length at a local metals supply house this morning...cost me all of $1.02 with tax.
Yeah, think about that for a moment. A $1.02. By the time I add up the gaskets,
oil, distilled water/Water Wetter, replacing the water pump (might as well...it's all apart), AND ALL MY LOST TIME AND LABOR, a little more care and measuring during the manufacturing process (at RDI) would have prevented this little mishap and saved me a LOT of $$$.
That motor was built some 8 years ago. I still may send them an invoice/bill just to clear my mind.
-Dean