What to do first?

[Bullitt-]

If your cool with small blocks look at the 360's... Oodles of them out there pretty cheap.
  Do you have a transmission?   

[WorkingOnItStill]

No transmission as of yet still doing the homework before dropping any money, but i have been looking around at Mancini Racing for one. I did pick up a 440 and 727 from a motor home for cheep a few months ago but i started to think i might as well do this right and go with most if not all new engine components. Besides that i have no idea as to how hard they have been ran and worn out they are.

[the_engineers]

Are you keeping a 3-speed or considering an overdrive?

[Bullitt-]

I read up on the vapor separator in the Service Manual and replacement is the only recommended service.  There are 2-components, the manifold which is passive and would not fail, and an overfill check valve.  If the check valve is bad liquid could back up into the rest of the emission components.   
   I would just rinse out & possibly soak in something like Evapo-Rust, install it & not worry about it.   Are you planning on a correct restore with working charcoal canister?  I have seen in-line check valves  for motorcycles that I believe would serve the purpose.   

[torredcuda]

Another vote for a 340 or 360 especially since it came with a 340.Have any of the big block parts been installed in the car yet?If not then for a rookie sticking with a smallblock will mean it should bolt in with little trouble but a big block means getting all the right parts to make it fit.A 360 is cheap and once it`s dressed up in the car you can stick a 340 decal on it and no one will know unless they really look hard.

[WorkingOnItStill]

Are you keeping a 3-speed or considering an overdrive?

Leaning more to keeping the 3 speed right now.

Thanks torredcuda the only thing i have for the 440 is the radiator and the brakes have been up graded witch shouldent hurt.

Bullitt man thanks a bunch i was looking all over the place last night trying to find a new vapor separator i will give it a good soak and do as ya said
 
Thanks all i didient expect this much input you folks are worth your weight in gold !!! 

[Bullitt-]

See this?

http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=62321.0

[WorkingOnItStill]

See this?

http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=62321.0

Wish it was closer Ill is a bit far from here I will start calling around here in Wichita on Monday and see what i can drum up