Help me understand rebuild vs crate?

stumblinhorse said
So the cost that I posted are from talking to Machine shops in my area and summit or equivalent for parts.

I had my 675 heads done a few months ago because they were the original leaded gas valves and were pretty much done. They cost $759 and change to be re-done. Hindsight, I would have never redone them.

Here are the Machining cost.
130 Hot tank
185 Bore and Hone
145 Square the deck
150 freeze plugs and cam bearings installed
230 to balance the rotating assembly
150 line bore if main bearing are bad

That is the lowest cost I could find and not the place I have used in the past that I know does a good job. Not always best to pick the cheapest.

Here is the other cost and links for a simple rebuild

Pistons Keith Black 167 https://www.summitracing.com/parts/uem-kb167ktm-020 $415
Lax heads https://www.indyheads.com/imagesmaxlaxnewproductlinK.pdf $1100 w/shipping
New ARP Head Studs for RHS heads - $75 ARP Individual Studs AR5.750-1LB
Comp cams magnum roller rocker https://www.summitracing.com/parts/cca-1622-16 $545
New Pushrods $100
Lunati 262 cam and lifter Lunati Voodoo Cam and Lifter Kits 10200702LK $210
Double roller chain Howards Cams Double Roller Billet Steel Timing Sets 94330 $100
Gaskets $150

That is where I got my costs.

Not arguing the validity of your numbers. Locally here near Bakersfield California I can have my block hot tanked, bored and honed, new cam bearings installed for around 500. I have never had a machine shop install my core plugs before. Line bore is usually only needed if damage to a main journal or if different main caps are swapped on. I just had my 383 balanced at a local machine shop last year and it cost me 150. Yes parts prices go up as you add performance parts. As far as squaring the deck, I would check to see if it is needed first. I still think that all things being equal a 360 is a better investment. All the prices are the same plus you have more cubes. Nothing wrong with the 318. Great motors, just from a performance to dollar standpoint not sure if it i the best.