I've turned wrenches on many projects for friends and family through the years, but I've never had to do this part before. Ad to be quite honest, I'm starting to get a little lost and overwhelmed.

I have a 318 that is dated 1971, but came from a bone stock '72 Charger. I have it torn down to a bare block in the garage, and my pro mechanic buddy that helped me says, "Not a single spun bearing, crank looks new, no rust at all, and I don't see as much as a scratch in the walls. You could rebuild that one just like it is. The heads just need a good cleaning. You got a good one!"

Since then, I found the cam has some wear and denting on it, but I think every used one I've ever seen looked like that. Not going to use it anyways.

What I'm assuming are hydraulic lifters, look brand new. Not a scratch or ding on any of them. Push rods are all the exact same size, and doing the roll test with a light beam under them, shows them all true.

I'm not worried about the rocker assembly. I know I will be putting a roller setup on whatever heads I use no matter what.

With this being my first build, and looking for more power, I have been doing my homework. I started here;

http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine/...-engine-build/

And kept digging.

After all I've researched, and what I've seen in my engine, that compression has to come up, first and foremost. I do plan on ordering the Kieth Black, KB167 piston heads. I'll spend the money on that, because it seems like a necessity.

When I called the machine shop to check on prices, he told me that I needed to figure out how I was going to build it complete before I brought it to him. He was right, I didn't think about a few things before I got trigger happy.

This is why I'm here. After thinking I had it all figured, I'm stuck not knowing where to start. What is the very first thing I need to do in building this pocket friendly, 400hp, 318, close to what is in that link up there. I'm completely open to other ideas and input, and I can get pictures up here of anything you need to see. I need all the help I can get right now.

If there is anything I can reuse, I'd like to use it, and would like to avoid spending more money than necessary to get what I'm looking for. Reliability will be a must, for this will be in an almost all out drag car, '69 Valiant. I have a 904 waiting to be gone through, and a trans brake installed.

I'm still looking for a deal on the right 8 3/4", Ford 9" or 8.8", to finish my drivetrain.

That's about all the upfront info I can think to give right now. If I left anything out please ask. It won't hurt my feelings at all.

Thanks in advance, fella's.