Inspect it first. It may not need pistons or boring. If it was maintained well, the bores could be in good enough shape to simply re-ring.
I think what I will do if I get it is to start a new thread.
As I tear it down I will take detailed pictures of everything and ask questions. That way with the help of the more knowledgable I can determine what would be the best kit to purchase.
Looking for YouTube vids now on tearing down an engine. I have the Mopar small block motor book and I am using "Auto Fundamentals" Text Book by Martin Stockel as my foundation for learning mechanics. It is a really great text book for getting basics down. But diagrams are a poor substitute to the real thing so for the engine I thought tearing a real one down and putting it back together was the best way to learn.
Your suggestion of not building it at first but simply take apart put back together repeatedly is a good one.
















