The original engines were rebuilt and re installed. After Steve took her up the first time, they found metal in the oil of one engine, it was determined that a bearing failed. That one engine was removed, and sent back to be repaired, again. A new crankshaft was installed, some rods were reconditioned, and the original engine, with some new parts was re installed, a second time. That, Krusty, is FACT, I talked to both Bob Cardin and Steve Hinton at Middlesboro more than once, standing next to the plane in the hangar, and next to the original crankshaft, in the display case.
Those two engines remained installed in the plane until they had engine trouble on the recent attempt to fly the Bolero Mission. Both engines were replaced then, and only then (according to reports I read, both engines were finally replaced with new engines flown in to where the plane was when the failure caused the trip to be cancelled). They had been in the plane since the first year it flew after being restored, and seen very little mercy. I've personally seen Steve put the plane through her paces 2-3 days in a row, for an hour or more at a time, and getting all she had in her in the process, and see it several times over the years. The engines were due for an overhaul, in terms of use and abuse, if not in hours. I've stood next to that plane talking with the guys after a show while it crackled and popped as it cooled for over an hour. I wish she had not been sold, as I no longer have regular and easy access to the plane and the guys. It was once a short 4 hour or less drive from home. I had the pleasure of spending time with Steve, Bob, and Mr. Roy several times.
By the way, it was a "new in the crate" surplus Allison that had a problem when Lefty's son had to put "White Lightin" down in a cotton field. I've been into a few Allison engines myself. They are no longer so "easily attainable". Mostly because guys like me were working on them in pulling tractors, and a lot of them were used up in Unlimited Hydroplane racing. There are not too many sitting around to be had, and those that are, especially if new, are bringing $250K and up from what I'm hearing. Gone are the days of the $5K Allison in a crate.