small update: finally got the cylinders back after having to manufacture a new sleeve to replace the one i scored with the bent oil ring, and have successfully installed them tonight. i can't believe how difficult those oil rings were to install. we had to chamfer the bottoms of the sleeves so much they were almost sharp on the edges.
dan (the machinist i have worked with this whole time) has been going through some serious medical problems recently, so i have been patient. he has cancer, and he is in the hospital right now with kidney failure. i don't feel comfortable saying much more in respect of his privacy, but suffice to say i've had no problem being patient here.
there is only one small detail left to work out with the oil lines in the head, and i should have it back next week. assuming i can squeeze in some time somehow, this means i might finally have this thing buttoned up soon...