And it sounds like you weren't given free machine work, hardware, pistons, cam, etc either. You're sinking a significant amount of money into your motor. In the scheme of things, the cost of a core short block doesn't seem too much. But you're call.
A used std bore 360 magnum block would be like $200-300 tops and offset some of the retrofit roller cam costs. Non magnum 360, probably a little less.
...and IMO there's noting quite like a high winding small block, sometimes less is more. I'm not worried about it being a pump gas motor, it might see the street, but I doubt it, it's only going to be driven 1/8 mile at a time
That hydraulic cam is only listed at 1,600-5,600 operating range. If you want a high winding small block get a bigger solid cam that revs it to 6400-6800 rpm.
