/6-904 to 360-727

Hi guys,
My slant six needs a rebuild its low on compression and burning oil. Stop by the machine shop and he thinks it will be 600-800 dollars in machine work. Plus rebuild kit and assembly. Probably 1400-1600 when done. So I bought a 1973 360/727 with around 80,000+ miles for 300.00 bucks. This is my first attempt at this so I know I know i need radiator, fan shroud, disk brakes, shorter drive shaft, rear end, and probably going with the schumacher mounts, car oil pan and pick up. Unless a K-member with disk brakes turns up. What other advise can you guys give me. I know this has been done a million times. I don't want to reinvent the wheel.

The guys I bought it off of said it ran fine when he pulled it from the 1ton RV. He mention flushing the block and replacing the freeze plugs as a good insurance for cooling issues made sense. Is there any other things you guys recommend? How about the exhaust manifolds? Can i use the ones on the motor or do i need headers?

A lot of questions guys...Sorry