"rebuilt engine does indeed require special care to ensure a long life"

*laugh*...really, that's true of any engine, or complicated machinery. while i'll believe that some cars are driven through the break-in period at the factory, you're generally supposed to do break-in driving with new cars as well, and changing the oil and checking the fluids regularly is always always always important.

one good thing about this last bit of the drive -- it's gotten me more into the habit of popping the hood at gas stops.