[Walt Fricke]

John and Steve would have a much better idea than I about just how case distortions affect the crank turning.

Like you, I'd wonder how it is that the crank turned freely when installed and the case halves torqued together, and I suppose through out the rebuild process (because you have to turn the crank often for this or that purpose) as the pistons (with rings) were put in the cylinders, and the heads torqued onto everything, and then when the cams were timed.

But only after running the engine some did this hard cranking become apparent?

At what point did anyone become aware that the engine was harder than it should be to turn over? Does the shop agree it is harder than it should be? the valve springs are no weaklings.

If you do get the case halves shaved, and the case align bored, be sure that it is not bored oversized. Especially not the #8 or nose bearing (which doesn't wear). That's the beauty of the shave and then bore method - can use standard bearing ODs.