Engine question

I knew a a kid who built his first car engine at age 15. It was a 283 for his oil-burning 57 Belaire. The only special tool he bought was a torque wrench. It ran great for at least one year, til he sold it and used the money to buy a 70 Swinger340. He was an over-eager, try-anything, snot-nosed, law breaking, godless, young punk. If that guy could have success, with no other help than the data sheet, how much more success will you have? Well I'll tell you; Tons and tons, I expect.
Yeah that punk was me......and the year was 1968.