opinions, commentss or suggestions

WOW! Ron, whew...OK
(Big post, lol)

Do the heads have any porting work. To run the number, gasket matched is not going to cut it.

I'd look to Dynamic for a converter. Theres a few other companys worth noting as well. But quality pays. A cheap converter will work for many arenas, butI also understand the wallet.

Give all the info to the converter maker and let them know everything and the intended use. This will make for an excellent, well built converter.

The S/S springs can do the job. So can the stock distributor, M-1 single plane, even more so for the price. The Victor is a high RPM intake. Your cam is not. The purple cams are old school, but will perform well, just not as well as a newer grind.

I would seriously consider a larger cam with a split duration and as much lift as you can get.
Comp Cams HI-Lift series XE is a .904 lifter cam.
Lunati's Voo-Doo line
A Crane cam, race cam.
Huges engines cam

Theres a few others worth mentioning, the list can be long.

I'd also think about a roller to run 10's. Why, the broad torque curve, hi-rpm capablitys of a no brake in time required cam of crazy lift. It only sucks on price. Though a purpose built .904 spec solid will also kick A$$!.

I also like the idae of 4.30's over the 4.10's. Just a bit more release.