Glad I spotted this thread, that's bitchin.
I really like the idea of building it as a push truck.
If you are doing work in the engine, you might consider a set of flat tops, I thought Egge was doing something with that.
The small port 302 head should work great.
Use a bigger trans, th 302 is famous for destroying the stock running gear if it's abused.
For clarity, the application you've chosen to build for is just about as "abusive" as you can get.
I don't know what to reccomend for the trans as I don't know what else you would do with it (driving to and from tracks on the freeway, get and OD of some sort, just the track in your town, a SM465 should work fine).
Unless you want an auto (nothin' wrong with that
).
If you do, stay away from a 700R4 or any variant thereof as you are working it harder than you want to.
If you want an overdrive auto, a 4L80E (or an '85E) with the factory "service upgrades" and an aftermarket controller (Bauman seems to be the least expensive).
What are you going to do for the rear axle?
An air locker would be ideal, but a "lincoln locker" would work for a while.
Good luck, and please keep us posted.
