Rebuilding the 350
 

haha well I should start with.. this is my first post.. in the Engine section :P hah. But right now I have a 1981 GMC, painted camo, lifted 6 inches sitting on 37's. Has a 1979 350 4-bolt main bored 0.030". Shes starting to run a bit rough so im rebuilding in the spring. It is a street/off-road truck, but mainly off road. I want all low end torque, and lots of it to get me out of some pretty serious mud holes. Anyways, I'm looking for a bit of guidance on my build, below are the links to the few main things that matter when rebuilding (cant list others cause i dont have my clearances for rings and bearings yet). So I'm looking at:

These pistons (doesnt say on info page but it is 11.88:1 comp ratio with a 64cc head)
http://www.jegs.com/i/Sealed+Power/844/H617CP/10002/-1
This head
http://www.jegs.com/i/Edelbrock/350/60909/10002/-1
This cam/lifter/push-rod combo (doesnt have specs, but im going for less lift and more duration since ill be idleing through alot of stuff, and a rough idle will make it a rough crawler)
http://www.jegs.com/i/Edelbrock/350/22015/10002/-1
and these rockers (not sure what ratio to use)
http://www.jegs.com/i/Proform/778/66907P/10002/-1
For head gasket ill be using a steel parted with a thickness of around 0.040".
If you havent noticed this is a very high compression build :)
Seem like a good combo? Anything i might be able to change to suit my needs?

Haha thanks for the comment about my username.

But I have strayed away from this idea of rebuilding the block I have and rather I think I am going to buy a 350 crate motor. I was doing some research and I put down 115 whp and 287 ft/pnds trq with the motor I have now turning 37s.
http://www.jegs.com/p/GM-Performance...55609/10002/-1
this motor claims to have 290 hp and 326 ft/pnds trq. Turning 37s I expect the horsepower to drop to about 180-200ish and trq to remain somewhat close to where it is. So for $2000 I have a good starter setup.
Now that I got the old 350 out I am going to build it exactly what I want for rpm/hp/trq as a truck motor. Then when I have this motor all back together I am going to take my crate motor and rebuild it with high rpm/hp/trq and drop it in a car.

I am still in college until spring of 2011, so I wont have too much money to play with, but hopefully the crate motor will be finished by then, and when I graduate I will be able to buy a camaro or something to drop the 350 into. :P

im pretty sure if you get a low ratio 4.56 or lower you can turn 37s easy.. i had a 79 ford.. with 411s and i had 38.5 swampers.. i was turning them over in 3rd gear..with a stock 351w....BUT that was with a FORD...dunno what a chevy can do!!! (just kidding)

The reason I am playing with motors is to have some fun and learn about my truck. I have more than enough power to move the thing with the stock motor so lowering my gears has nothing to do with my goals. But it is a good idea if I was planning to drive it on the street alot, or keep somewhat close to the crank horsepower.

I just want a high torque truck to go mudding with, might get into the sport of mudracing or hillclimbing when I get it done.

EDIT: forgot to mention. Im sure my chevy will blow the pants off your ford anyday :P