Upcoming FE build: plan coming together

[aks801]

I love it when a plan starts to take shape!

As I'll do with as many areas as possible of the roadster build, I'll want to be very involved in the engine build. Since I have no experience in from-the-block-on-up engine builds, it may end up making more sense to have a pro builder do it for me. But I at least want to understand it all as much as I can up front.

So: this will be an FE block. I'm leaning toward a 390 due to availability and cost factors, but would certainly love to get a hold of a reasonably priced 428 block. I like the idea of combing junkyards and craigslist to rescue a block from obscurity. Anything I should watch out for? I'm assuming I should have good reference materials on hand so I can decode parts stampings to make sure what I am getting. Beyond that, it seems like the idea would be to not overpay, since a sonic check will be in order before the block gets the ok.

New aluminum heads seem to make a lot of sense: save some weight, and not deal with costs associated with reworking an original iron head. Who should I look toward for FE heads?

Induction will be via Weber carbs, I'm locked into that idea now. I'm going to "go to Weber school" by reading the typically recommended reference materials for Webers. I am completely positive I'll end up getting considerable help with their set-up, but as with the whole project I want to understand what I'm dealing with as much as possible, rather than just cutting a check.

Last and certainly least, I'll use the 427 chrome "pent roof" valve covers.

Any and all thoughts/recommendations/warnings/condolences... will be accepted graciously.