I too have heard a lot of complaints about LCE as well as some from DOA. As others have stated that it is stupid easy. I am more leaning to doing it myself as I am pretty mechanically inclined. After all I did install 3 short block chevy's in my 64 malibu but then again there is no smog crap and only 1 vacuum advance hose as compared to the many vacuum hoses of the 22RE which really isn't that many compared to my 82 with a 22r holy 
does that one have a lot of hoses. I just don't have the time to do it myself right now. I'm thinking that I'm going to replace the head and look for another 22re to slowly rebuild as I have time then when its complete I can put it in. Hopefully the new head will give me enough time which I think it might. I went over to the shop yesterday and took a look at the cylinder walls on my engine since the head was off and they look pretty nice. No noticeable lip or anything, they look good, but we'll see.
And I do have a downey header for it and love it! I actually did notice a little more pep in its step and I find that I am able to leave it in 5th gear quite a bit more than before.
I have a Downey header as well and likewise love it.
