my first engine rebuild (318) advises

If you have to replace pistons wouldn't you get the most bang for your buck if you used stock "69 318 pistons. I own a "69 'cuda it came with 9.2 to 1 compression (factory). When I tore it down to replace the heads the pistons were only .035 down in the hole. These are original stockers. They must be the tallest pistons they put in the 318s. I had read about some pistons being .100 down in the hole and when I bought a '74 318 I found it to be true. Anyway since you are on a budget stock pistons would be cheap and I run low the lowest grade gas with no problem. Why spend a lot of money when you can get long life and good performance with stock pistons. You wouldn't have to shave the heads very much to get to 9.5 to 1 or more. And if you can get a set of 302s you could easily get 9.5 to 1 or higher (closed chamber 69CC and some quench, that's what I am running now). Just my opinion.

Treblig