It’s very easy to degree a cam. Everyone building stuff like this should be doing it. It’s not hard and the tools to do it are relatively cheap. Skimping on the cooling system is just nuts. How hard is it to buy the correct size and core radiator? I can’t imagine not using a high volume water pump. Last Milodon I bought was under 80 bucks. A Stewart Components thermostat is under 20 bucks ( I think...been awhile since I bought one but they are cheap money...not parts store junk cheap, but cheap for what you get) and flow is a big deal. So is getting the correct drive pulleys. Most guys are running OE pulley and chrysler made the correct ones, so they are out there.
When you add it all up, doing it correctly is simple and relatively cheap. Especially if you end up needing to mix in some race fuel just to drive the car. It doesn’t take long before the cost and hassle of mixing race gas it’s much more irritating than just building the system correctly to start with.
