A advise

So,,,as it is my best bet is to build my 273 and keep it simple ?…
Probably since I know the surrounding area junkyards are void of any old MoPar stuff and an older local 318 is a gamble. If you can find that old of a 318 to begin with.

All the parts for your rebuild are on the shelf except pistons and rings & valves for the head should not be to hard to find. A place like Hughes engines or other shop or piston manufacturer should be able to get you new slugs easy enough, but probably only in a cast piston.