Engine and tranny help

I'm compelled to throw my 2 cents in on this thread. if I had to do everything over again I would start at the back and work my way forward.I would use an eight and a quarter rear end with 355 or 391 gears. you can probably pick one up out of a Dodge Dakota for about $100 at the wrecking yard plenty enough strength for any small block.as far as transmissions go I would think the only thing I would ever use would be a 4 speed period end of discussion on that. you will buy one and probably never buy another again and the fun factor is through the roof and that's what this is all about correct? as far as a motor goes I would start with the 318. you can get one good running on Craigslist for about $200. and if you decide to get that 340 one day and pay big money for it so you already have all the headers intake manifold water pumps and all the other stuff will fit right onto it pullys everything.and that's all I have to say about that.good luck and have fun that's what it's all about.