Pulled the Mess that was my Timing Chain....

Nice progress!

I don't know much (working on y first slanty) but I found the oil holes in my rocker shaft and rockers were plugged with dried sludge after sitting for 32 years. Easy for you to check now. I removed the plugs in the end of the rocker shaft to clean it better and got new plugs from Rockauto. They're like mini freeze plugs.

I think I remember reading on slantsix.org that the cam actually uses the rear of the block for rear ward thrust so your block wear in the front may not be an issue. That probably was caused by the loose cam gear when you got it. Dutra also shows how to make an adjustable thrust stop that welds into the timing cover in the front. May not be necessary but it's an option and something to play with.

I'm pretty sure the engines in 72 were blue, not turquoise. You can degrease and clean yours thoroughly when you get it all together and rattle can it so it looks like new. Most auto parts stores have Chrysler blue on the shelf.