I found a 68 318 short block pulled by a local wrecker for $100 (that place was cool, different short blocks lined up, heads were on another shelf) cylinders were in great shape, no taper and still had a cross hatch. even though I lost 'compression', I picked up 45 cubes (and 80 ft lbs!) and I think that really woke the bottom end up. Top end not sure but you use the bottom end EVERY TIME on the street, top end not so much. Those were my findings. I was so pleased with it, I made it my signature......If you want to refine that package even more, get a camshaft made for the 318's lower compression. Not sure what that will get you though. It ran great as it was. Later I installed a Performer intake and 5208 headers, ran even better. Performer had to be modded for the 65 intake bolt angles: hardened washers and clearancing the holes. Worked great, no leaks.
