Ok, machine shop magged and dipped the block, everythings ok.

He asked if i wanted to stud the block and align bore it?? he said it looks straight and doesnt think its necessary for what im going after but offered it. should i?

For the power your going to make studs are not required. The line hone is either within tolerance or out of tolearance.

There are many good comments here. Several have said to get a book or two. Tons of great info.
How much have you budgeted for this project? You can spend alot of money on good parts and not have the right combination to make the power and torque you want at the rpm you intend to use it. GM among others offer several crate engines that are dyno prven combinations and some even have a warranty of some kind.
I am looking at a Summit Performance catalog right now. A new GM ZZ502 Is 7459.95. 502 hp and could run on pump gas. All you need is carb and headers.
Any that is my 2 cents worth.

Good luck, Jerry.

I would change the frezze plugs,cam,ck CR,ck piston wall clearance.Head gasket?,prob has a narrow .060 exhaust seat etc.

As I understand it this engine is going into a nova. Not a boat.
I would not recommend it for a boat without modifications as Strippoker says.
Jerry.

I forgot it was for a car.oops

i always have my blocks align honed so the bearing get the right crush for heat transfer, same with the rods have em resized and i always set the pins up as floating.

I always have my blocks align honed!

Unless you are trying to gain engine building skills, have you thought about crate motors ? It seems like what you want is a good application for a Chevy crate motor.

Well I have good news and bad news.

The bad news is the nova project is stopping.

The good news is I just picked up its replacement a 72 chevelle ss.

Its a small block car, and im going to leave it that way, so ill be back real soon to start the small block work up.