1979 360 small block and heads deal???
If i had a machinist willing todo all the block work for free(?) I would have the block decked to fix the as cast factory tapered deck suffice of the block. then get it bored and line hone the mains.
Have the head gone through with bronze valve guides and Hardened exh. seats installed. 3 angle valve job done and then blend the lower cut,into the bowl.(intake side) of the port.
Plus what "rumblefish360" stated above.
Are you going with the stock torque converter or a higher stall.
What gear ratio ?