I see your points and the alternative engine choice would be better both for power and expense, but there is a lot more work and fabrication with mounts and the exhaust is on the other side, plus bell housing probs. This is more than I'm capable of .

The des hammill book says that an unported head would give a bhp fig of 170 with CR of 10:1 and 45s on a 36 choke.
So surely with all the mods i'm considering, I think that would be easily achievable?
This is actually my everyday car and anything over 170ish would be great, although I'm scared that the torque will be down compared to my pinto!
My van will be the daily run around when its off the road.