79 block with cast crank and probably 8.2: 1 or so compression. The good thing is I don’t see any diamonds indicating oversized lifters. Cylinder heads will basically be in the category of whatever you can afford. Are you budgeting for aftermarket or for original iron? If it is all stock, it should have 452s. Those heads can make decent power with porting and 2.14/1.81s, but if you can swing it, a set of Trick Flow Power Port 240s will really step things up. This is all provided the bottom end is in good shape with no cylinder ridge, taper, or egg shaped bores. Also, how is the oil pressure at idle and under power. A short block with significant wear is usually living on borrowed time if you add more cylinder pressure. Have you taken any compression and vacuum readings yet? Some 440s had near zero deck factory flat tops but are usually stamped HP or P.
