no problem man, the rod only going that far is no way shape or form a defect, all go engines but the ,25 6 port are like that, from what i can see on your mill the sleeve was the only thing wrong, i have a way of removing them for modding that doesn't bend or stress the rod and piston, modding this line of engines took some enginuity lol but it works safley and no issues with my methode, i would leave it on there and let's just get the sleeve issue taken care of, once that is done you will have a killer motor, you won't be dissapointed, i will call Russ now.