Saga,
We were all "self taught first timers" at some point in our lives. Well, there are some who still have never learned because they have the means to have someone else do the work
Building an engine is not black magic, but it does require a lot of skill and EXPERIENCE to do it right. I, like many, learned the hard way (read expensive way too) but managed to learn by my mistakes. From your latest post, you mention putting your old heads on a new short block....... bad move! No doubt the valve seats are going south, the valve guides could be going too, springs softened up...... and I know you can have this all rectified by having them rebuilt, but why not go with a new long block... that is a rebuilt engine, complete less intake and pan (and some even come with that too) Jasper has a performance engine department seperate from their grocery getter motors that is very reasonable.... I know 'cause I have one of their Cobra HO engines in my car.
Just adding some more food for thought..... good luck getting things sorted out.