In my case, after Joe Alexander and I rebuilt my engine (mostly Joe of course) in Ohio in 2003, I thought it would be a nice project to rebuild these engines when I retire. So I started buying up these engines in The Netherlands and Germany, from people's sheds and garages and barns where they typically had been sitting for some time, just in the way. I realized that parts would be getting scarcer and scarcer. I stopped when my own one-car garage in Amsterdam was full (besides the Pagoda and my Husaberg motorcycle), which moment came at 14 engines. I disassembled most engines as I intended to rebuild them or use for parts. For example, I think I have around 20 of the cast iron exhaust manifolds, 12 injection pumps and so on. I sold all the distributors (10) in one go to Dan in Canada.
I have since sold one rebuilt short block to The Netherlands,one good core engine block to Poland. And two good cylinder heads to The Netherlands, one to Van Dijk and one to our own Peter, along with a rebuilt injection pump. So I have tons of parts and some whole engines left.
Yes, Seb, would be happy to collaborate. It's also more a labor of love for me. Just to note, we are now living in California and it will be a while still before we spend a few months a year in France, where the stash is now. But, not going anywhere, so when the time comes, I will be cataloguing all the parts, checking everything for wear tolerances etc and I can then let you know what I have in more detail, so you know what's available to be used in rebuilds.