I plan on buying the 440 source heads, $1,200. new pistons around $400. Comp cam extreme energy and lifters. Mopar dual plane intake, 750 quik fuel technologies carb. All of this will be under a shaker hood and scoop. Do the 1.6 rockers used in that article require a lot of adjusting?
Well, heads $1200, pistons $400, cam kit $250, new intake $225, Quick fuel carb $400, adjustable rockers $400, total outlay in just these parts = $2875. Your over budget already and you haven't even begun to include cleaning, machining, gaskets, fasteners, and rod recondition.
A $2k rebuild is going to be pretty bare bones. I'd venture a guess to say for $2k, you get new pistons and boring, valve guides installed, valve seats ground, recon the rods, maybe a new cam to match the compression ratio of your new pistons, and re-use everything else.