349 CI on the cheap

Moper,
For trying the above deck engines we have done this for a number of years, and yes your correct in that the chambers are different for each one, but because of machining, the heads the end cylinders are generally the smallest and the center two are the largest.
As for doing the work in the chambers, I didn't worry too much about this as for the street and mild performance applications and pump gas. I wasn't useing a race engine for street use and being street use the engine limits are much more tolerable and forgiveing.
I did a 400 CI engine this way a few years ago and ran it for 3 years with .020 out of the block, steel shim gaskets and low compression 440 pistons as there the same height as the high compression 383 pistons and are smaller than the 400 in bore size so the overbore lent it self nicely to the 400 @ .030 or .040, or .060. This engine made 535 HP with a .480 hyd. cam and a M-1 intake, 490 ft lbs of TQ and ran 7.0's @ 98 MPH. I also did a 360 .030 over with the pistons out .030 and did the heads as we have talked, and it ran 7.40's in a 3400+ lbs car. Also with the NOS it ran 6.90's with a 150 shot. This car has been running now for over 5 years.
My engine is on the stand as I had the front half of the car changed to a pro stock strut front suspension, as I did a wheel stand and destroyed the factory one that I had under the car, but it beats replaceing the hard to find body panels. I recieved the car from the chassis shop on saturday and I put a 402 CI engine back in as it makes 70 more HP and 50 more ft lbs of TQ than the 404 I had in there.