Lets say its 1971, and I wanted to build a 360...

In 1972, people were stepping over 360's and throwing them away, looking for 340's. In 1972 there was almost no support for a built up 360, pistons were custom, everybody was afraid of cast crankshafts, they didn't get built.

Now today, it's a much different story, I'd do a 360 all day long over a 340, all points being equal. If you think in term of specific out put (hp per cubic inch) a 360 has got it all over a 340.

Here's a mix of some old and new to go with the 72 vibe: Fenderwell headers, a nicely done pair of w-2's (aluminum heads weren't available in 72, actually w-2's weren't eather but they are iron and 99% of the population will not recognize them), an LD4B intake with the plenum divider milled out, ported to the w-2's, an Isky solid lifter cam, flat top pistons that allow for zero deck, or even sticking out of the hole just a little, internal balance.

Good luck, have fun.