engine build for reliability

Go with a 340'ish grind cast iron core hyd roller in a mag or late LA roller block and use factory spider and rollers.
Msd ignition all around.
Fi tech
Exh manifolds with 2 1/2 pipes.
Headers drag, or cost, or leak, or trap a starter sometimes....etc.
Otherwise a holley 600, for a girl now..,and extra needles and seats in the glove box and a tutorial on how to change them should be given to her.lol