Freshening up my 318

Im in the paint and body stage with my Dart right now. I have the motor out and the engine bay paint is done. I would like to get the engine back in asap. My plan is to freshen up the 318 and get it back to driveable for the smmer so I can at least enjoy the new paint and interior, then pull it back out over the winter when I will either build the 318 into a stroker or maybe even rebuild a 383 that I have on hand.

I am thinking a new timing chain and gear and all new gaskets. It has a leaking freze plug so replacing those as well. I have an Eldebrock 650 cfm carb that a friend gave me so I am thinking about putting that on the 318 with an Edelbrock Performer Intake. It also smokes bad on start up so valve guide seals would be a good idea too.

Or would I be just wasting my money on this tired 180,000 mile motor. By the way the bottom end (re-ground crank + new bearings) was replaced 70,000 miles ago.