$1000
uh, I can get an entire shortblock for $65.
I was thinking about the short-deck block to save weight off the front end and the shorter pistons would lighten the rotating assembley tremendously.

Putting a 292 cam in would be no problem since I'd be dropping the mech fuel pump with the TBI anyways.
Might be easier to just go with the 292 block, except that I can't find anything more than stock replacement pistons, not the 9:1 LP pistons that are supposed to be out there somewhere.