No doubt Steve. The first 117 engine I ever worked on beyond service work showed up as a failed DIY project. Everything but the block, crank and a/c compressor was in boxes in the trunk and backseat.
2 months later and a lot of new cuss words learned (I cussed that car in 3 languages, called in a buddy to teach me some german just for the occassion) You would have been hard pressed to tell it had ever been apart.
The guy thought going in that it would be cheaper to have it reassembled than having the job started from ground zero. (not the case)
6 months after that the tranny failed. Poor guy who bought it sold it to me at that point for less than the engine bill and bought a 123 car. (shrug) This was in '88. I built the trans and drove it for about a year, sold it for what I had in it and still see it every now and again (4 owners later) Car looks as good as it did when I sold it.
Joe