Welcome wicat3,
The Ford 6 forum will probably have more direct answers for you.
http://www.fordsix.com/You are welcome here to stay.
There are guys that have run a stock high milege engines & installed a turbo & ran pretty good.
There are guys running different heads,Aussie heads, aftermarket heads etc.
All depends what your goals are.
Normal low dollar & safe route is to get forged pistons,side grind/polish, then shot peen rods, ARP rod bolts.
Larger valves, mild porting, camshaft, good valve job etc.
Do you want a carb, EFI, draw through,blow through?
Lots of info needed to get some better informed responses.
http://fordsix.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=24859MBHD