Now, can I use a caliper to measure bore so I don't have to take the block to Mach shop twice? So let me summarize my understanding. I want zero deck which will increase compression yielding more power. The pistons have to be special so that they are not in the hole too far. I had some valve issues, so I should just have the heads re done by the shop. When it comes to rockers, should I get roller and a flat tapper cam? Or just use factory rockers. With rockers I have seen 1.5, .6 etc. Anything I should know here?
On the caliper, let the machinest do that and any overbore work that may be needed.
Step one;
Give the machinest the block, tell him you want it hot tanked (Cleaned) and bored over if needed with a torque plate/hone plate. Then have him install cam bearings, unless you want that chore. The tool is $300 to install the bearings by the way. At the same time (If money allows) give him the crank. If it needs to be machined, he'll do so and then tell you what he did so you can order bearings.
Step 2;
From there, when you call Summit racing up to place your order for the kit you listed in the first post, just simply tell him your info that you have gotten from your machinest on the overbore and crank bearing sizes. (standard, .010-.020 oversized bearings.)
Also, when your ordering the kit, ask him to sub out the pistons in the kit for a set of what ever you want. As suggested above, theres zero deck KB pistons available for the 318. Have Summit place those in the kit instead of the stock one. Or whatever piston you chose.
Step3;
Once you get everything from Summit racing, give it to the machinest so he can have it balanced, a step you can not afford to miss. This will ensure a some long lasting and running engine.
Step4;
If you want to assemble the engine yourself, go for it. I suggest a book to follow along with called, "How to rebuild your Small block MoPar"
It is very good and show most everything you'll need to know and do. I've built my first and just finished my last engine with this book as a guide. Never a problem.
OR
Pay the piper to assemble it for you. While it'll cost a few bucks, it's just easier that way. I myself love to screw toghter a engine. I take a lil'pride in doing so and in the end, I can allways say, "I did it!"
hamsterhats Don't know where to get magnum heads! Was just going to use stock then upgrade to eddies later.
Theres a fella here that goes by the screen name, OU812. His name is Brain. He can get you the Indy RH head in the standard "LA" engine (Which you have) or in the Magnum version preped and ready to bolt on and go.
Just so you know, you can not re-use the pistons in a stroker. The piston height changes with the stroke being used. This makes the 390 stroker piston shorter. If you were to try and re-use the 318 piston in a stroker, the piston would pop out of the block, and crash into the head. Just a FYI.
Good luck.