I wasn't going to say anything more but since you brought it up.....If it's a crate engine then it's in the crate. If you have seen the block then it's not in the crate. I worked for a dealer and if the crate was opened or the bag removed, the engine could not technically be sold or called a crate engine. It was called an "opened crate engine...a pallet engine...a standing bagged block...and a few others, but not A CRATE ENGINE...CRATES WERE STACKED AND UNOPENED".
Just making sure someone doesn't get mislead into thinking it's a REAL IN THE CRATE NEVER OPENED ENGINE...ETC. ETC. I'll take your word for it that it's a nice piece, but the crate has been opened, SO IT'S NOT A NOS...IN THE CRATE ENGINE. No skepticism involved...just facts. Have a good one!