Going to build a 440 - any thoughts?

Looking at the pictures you posted - it does have odd wear on the rod bearing. That's not "normal wear" IMO. Normal wear would be some copper showing, but evely accross the bearing surface. Maybe it's the camera but that bearing looks beat with material imbedded. What do the mains, and the cap parting sufaces on the caps look like? Also - the pistons have a lot of scoring. Frankly it looks like it was run really dirty. If it was running - I would have left it alone, stuck a cam, timing set, valve seals, and springs in it. Maybe an oil pump if the pressure was low, and run it. "Krylon rebuild" as we used to say.