My advice is do the drudgery first, for me that is body work. Then you reward yourself by doing the engine.

In that time your friend scours the yards and Craigslist for a G3 Hemi. Sell the non-numbers-matching 340 block and use $ for the electronics hookup. I like the Hemi package, it is strong and light. I think it's worth doing, have a car that's actually driveable.

Or put the 318 in it, dressed as a TA motor, and make it a trailer queen.

R.