My engine ran hot on a road trip...

[aadadams]

...while I was returning to NoVA from Cincinnati in a small town in PA called Blythesville, I think... at any rate its now about $3500 and 1.5 months later, and the shop is finished with the full engine rebuild (block and both heads the whole shebang as I understand it. FYI, The truck is a 97 with about 180K mi on it, but i wasn't ready to let it go... at least I wasn't financially ready to buy my dream vehicle. I'm going to pick it up soon, gotta fly into Pittsburgh and take a shuttle an hour or so south to the shop and I'm wondered if there was anything to look for mechanically when I arrive, before dropping the cash. I'm mechanically inclined and actually rebuilt an engine while in High School, but that was a long time ago. I haven't done that since HS and it's been a couple decades then some. Any advice appreciated...

[jpedderson]

Check oil, coolant for unusual colors and smells. Make sure it doesn't smoke starting from cold. Drive it, listen for unusual mechanical sounds...

Do you have a warranty on the work? Can you get warranty service in your town?

[aadadams]

Will do on the "things to check"!
More background...
I live in the DC Metro area and car repairs are VERY expensive. So, in my infinite(i) wisdom LOL! I opted to have it repaired at a reputable shop that was within a few miles of my breakdown that happened to be about 250-275 miles from home. My autoclub would've towed it to DC but I would have had to supplement the tow. I felt it more economical to just have it done there. On the warranty, one year unlimited miles. He indicated that he would stand behind the work, if I wanted to take it to a local shop in the event something happened (whatever that means). In that regard, local warranty service is "kinda" possible... Hopefully that doesn't become an issue. If it does, I can have it towed back to him I guess...