Engine builders

Pro or novice, I need help.
I want to build my 440 based around the trick flow heads.
I`m not a builder and sourced a local machinist to build a short block for me.
I can manage the rest. I made a plea for help on the thread here.
http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=328349&page=7
To no avail. I`m just looking to up the performance on a 72 block with the piston .150 below deck. I was counting on the machinist to calculate the rest. I told him I`d like to up the ratio to 10.5:1, or to run on 93 in our area. He`s wanting me to settle for 9:1, That`s fine if that is a more reasonable expectation to run without detonation. I just want this engine to be all it can be on a reasonable budget, mid range parts price/quality. No high $, no junk.
Engine will be going in an old coupe, weighing, guessing at 3500 lbs. 4spd, 3:55 gears.
It`s just going to be a street cruiser, I want to run hydraulic cam. I`m open to suggestion on what to choose for my goals.
The machinist admitted he`s not real familiar with mopar, "like that makes any difference",
although their was a 440 being built and assembled in front of mine.
Here`s the kicker.... Besides being jerked around schedule wise, since 10/16, dropped off, 11/16, finally at the point of ordering pistons/parts to wrap this saga up, with numerous visits to check on progress, allready bored .020 over to clean it up. he calls to inform me he`s having trouble finding pistons to get me at my comp. goals.
I assumed you measured before teardown, he`s working off books specs.
He mentions that he`s finding some that would work with .030 over. I told him I did`nt want to pay for 2 bore jobs and he would not charge to go the .030 over. I told him of just what I`ve read on compression calculators that it seems he could of figured this stuff out before boring. He told me maybe I should order the parts, that it sound like I know more about this stuff than he. I remained calm, and said I`m not trying to be a smartass, and just assumed this stuff could be figured before any bore work was performed.
I`d like to work with this guy, he seems like a decent guy, he`s not demanded any money yet, even though I`ve offered. We are at that point though with parts purchases and labor.
I`m getting worried now on how this is going to end.
Should I relax and give the man the benefit of the doubt?
Or just go settle up and get my short block?
I`m thinking of maybe investing in the tools to assemble myself, if you guys could take me under you wing?
But would prefer to just go pick up a professionally assembled
shortblock.


thanks for reading and for any suggestions :pale: