400 stroker or 440

A couple of things I ran into with a 440 was the valve cover interfering with the blower motor, my car is a factory A/C car. The stock valve covers will fit, but you have to unbolt the blower motor to get them on or off. Aftermarket valve covers will have to be modified to fit. This shouldn't be an issue with a 400.
My exhaust (Shumacher) is VERY close to my P.S. gearbox. I do have Edelbrock heads which stick out further than stock. I think there might be more clearance with a low deck.