Figuring compression

To optimize compression you need to have a pretty good idea of what cam you are gonna run. The cam is kindof dictated by the head-flow, and to your intended useage, and horsepower target, and width of the powerband.
The rear gears stall and chassis weight all play into it as well.Other things to think about are altitude and available fuel.

Truth be; for a 440 in an A-body, unless you are building a drag-car, it almost doesn't matter; most especially if it is gonna be a streeter.
With a 440, zero to 60mph can be first gear; 3.23s and a 2.45 low will get you 60 with around 6000rpm. 30 will be around 1750 in second.and hiway will be around 2600. I just love this stuff.
Your cam can be quite small, and as a 1-gear deal the LDA is almost a non issue.
The 440 will have enough torque to easily spin the tires so the TC can also be small.
Knowing all this you might as well build it for 87 gas.So for iron heads you probably want to come in around a Dcr of 8.0.
Streeters is all I know, so if you are building something else, hang around, somebody will be around in a bit.