340 gone! Performance shop shut down! Help!

No entirely true here. These parts were brand new off the shelf. He had a speed shop store as well as a machine shop. He said those parts were all his and not other customers. I ensured that before I agreed to go that route.

Hmm,
You got to pick over what was there... so you don't sue.
Somebody paid for the parts.
How would you feel if your block and engine parts were just gave to somebody so they would not take the guy to court??????????
I am glad you got something back, but I would have taken it to court, and had his wages, home etc garnished.