Now that I've thought about it some more, I could block the primary relief shut by putting an aluminum dowel in place to hold the piston in it's closed position.  I could probably also cut off the relief valve flush with the bottom of the front cover, then use a set screw, or pin to keep it from turning.  Drill one more hole near the bottom for a fluid relief, and it would still work as designed.  

What do you propose to use for an oil pan? A complete flat plat is usually a dry sumped engine.

 

Lynn E. Hanover