Well well...

... apparently, the "machine shop" paid up.
Of course, this means they'll be overcharging Peppe on all future works until they make their money back, and then some, but that's between them.
Wasting no time, Peppe opened up the sludge trap, again, cleaned it and fitted the new plug.
Most of the bottom end is assembled, again, and the whole engine should be done with another 5 to 10 hours of work. Could we see the Rising Star back on the road before next summer?