ORIGINAL: Tired Old Man
The Mahle top ends are still in production and easily obtained. Not cheaply, but easily. The problem is likely with the cranks. If the previous supply ran out then new would have to be made and it takes awhile for the Chinese to make a halfway decent crank.
Dan,
Thanks for the offer of purchase but I don't want to sell one of the best engines I have ever made. It would not go low on the sales amount even if I did, which would scare away most people.
I don't belive the FPE cranks come from China. They have always looked like some kind of home brew affair ..... machined mainshaft and counterweight with pressed in crankpin. Certainly not a forging like most of the cantilever cranks we see these days. I sure could be wrong though.