Going to build a 440 - any thoughts?

I'd go as far with the short block as money will allow. 77 is a cast crank so I'd save the money from the aluminum heads and buy a stroker kit. modest cam with a stroker combo and stock heads will yield a toque monster and will move that heavy vehicle around.

I would love to stroke it. $2000 - $2500 for a stroker kit is out of my range right now. I need to get an intake, headers, probably aluminum heads and a cam. That along with the machine work will take a large chunk of change.