Questions Regarding 383 Barracuda Engine Compartment

Haha I love the advice, I definitely want it, but the seller is asking a bit more than I'm good with so I need to wrap my head around that first. Anyway, I'm in my 30s, so I've never driven a car without power steering, except when my belt blew and I had to drive home without it in my 00s car...that sucked hard. The AC thing...right now I don't live in a 'hot' state, but I intend to move to one fairly soon, and if I do I get the feeling that I'll want to slowly gather up the needed parts and go through the arduous process of making that a thing. Pretty sure a few members here have done it and documented in threads their experience. This would be my first (and only) classic car purchase. I've been on this forum for I believe a couple years now just quietly gathering knowledge.
The price of those old girls won't go down, so you'll need to jump on a car you want when it comes available. As long as it is in the condition that meets your expectations! Aftermarket aluminum heads, intake, and even front cover will lighten that engine a lot. Don't worry about the handling with the big block. There are things you can do to help that way beyond how it came from the factory!