Very Mild 318 Build

Finish hone a block with a torque plate. Use the gasket you will use in your build, the bolt or stud depth you will end up using, fasteners torqued to finish values. Hone lightly and stop frequently, so you can see any high or low spots. You only need to do it once. Try machining a SBC without torquing the main caps or a torque plate to simulate assembled stresses in the block. Not even close to right. Can you skip using a torque plate on a SBM? Yes, it's done every day. You don't need a great valve job either. It will run. I personally won't do an engine without one. I have my own stack of plates. What is the difference in price to hone with a torque plate? Not much. Your choice.