[johnkoawood]

Didn't vote, not gunna, UVA, is the car at your house, or the mechanics?

If doing rings, and without history on the rest of the engine, check the thrust bearing for wear.. if ANY wear is detected the block needs to come out..

Replace the main bearings, and finish the FULL rebuild.. you will be better off in the long run!

ALSO make sure once the pistons are out the block is checked for roundness and taper... either one could cause the low compression, both CAN be repaired, however I hesitate to tell you the cost of it! (My 951 motor had zero taper, but was at the FSM limit for out of round.. it is now waiting to be reassembled after being repaired to perfect bores!)

Also sounds to me like you need to find some localish friends... I can say I have wrenched on cars from VA beach to Baltimore... Mosley is more in land that I typically go, but hey I am always up for a weekend trip to dive in and help out!