First Engine Build - Advice Needed

Thanks for the info guys... Two of those books I was actually looking at buying online about an hour before writing this post, the other two I'd never heard of, and definitely look like a worth while purchase.

I guess I should have specified my original concerns better. I've spoken to three local machine shops and all three have told me that they wont touch the block until I purchase the rods and pistons to go with it. I don't want to do that in case the block is bad or some other restriction changes. I was hoping that I could have the shop check for cracks, clean the block, etc, before I needed to buy any new internals. I know the camshaft is excessively worn (groove marks on the lobes), and I was thinking about going with new heads and valve assembly anyways. I don't have an intake or carburetor, so I'll need to pick those out as well. I'm not sure what needs to go with what, which is the primary concern for my confusion (i.e. what intake goes with what carb... how does valve lash/timing/components work with other parts... how do I, or even, should I, stroke the engine?). I imagine that buying the books will answer a few of these, I was just hoping to get some answers now so I can make plans for my bonus check, rather than waiting until my wife gets her "claws" into it.

As for some of the questions; Budget is changing as time goes on, so I'll do what I can, when I can. The transmission will need a rebuild/overhaul regardless... it's a 727 auto originally paired with the existing 225 slant six. I plan on building the 383 first, then modifying the drive train accordingly, based on engine dyno results. The brakes are going to get a full overhaul with the replacement of the rear axle (upgrading to 8-3/4 rear with 10" discs all around). I have a plan to switch to a Hotchkis Suspension system eventually, front brakes will be redone with that project. The rest is pretty unnecessary to worry about at the moment.

72Dart6pack: I've thought about that, even considered it seriously. But when I think about it, I feel like I wouldn't value the car as much. I really want to BUILD the car, not just slap it together and drive it. I'm a glutton for punishment it seems...