Time for a little update on my progress. I have too many things going on at once with this project, but I am picking away at it. I started putting some of the motor back together. I had the aluminum intake powder coated (along with the exhaust manifolds). I also bought some new small parts (temp sending unit, oil pressure sender, coil) and a new alternator. All of the pulleys were just painted. Leanna (CudaChick) is powder coating the valve covers and air cleaner cover. Once I get those back, I can start finalizing this part of the project.
I also decided to take the AC/heater box apart and do a refurbish on it. I removed all of the AC components from my car, so I am just going to make a plate to seal off the vent opening. I really just added new seals and foam all over and painted the metal parts of the box. I got the refurbish kit from Detroit Muscle Technologies. I highly recommend them if you dive into this part of the project. Also, take lots of pictures. I realized after I took it apart that I didn't pay attention to or take pictures of exactly which vacuum valves attach to which lines. But I dug up some other pictures to guide me. I added a new heater core and blower motor. Despite looking at the heater core next to the original one, the tubes were not the same bend (just barely) and I ended up with a crack in the top of the box that I had to repair. I also repaired a couple other holes and cracks with JB Weld.