I had the same thoughts 3 yrs ago.

i went with the low milage 78 440 truck engine in my 88 short bed,built it around the engine from scratch.

used the MH 727 shorty as well in the truck,I had to build a drive shaft any ways

added the A-body 8 3/4 with 3.91sg,tucked in some 12" rims with 29x15x15 M/Ts in the fenders.

set it up mono leafs and SSM lift bars for scratchin

I have drove a few of my trucks with small blocks,the stepside I upgraded to roller cam in 07'

I can tell you now..I am sure glad I went with the 440 for my street truck over any sb that I have had in any truck.

I built it for more of a show and shine poser race/street truck that I wont be driveing all the time any way,so that off set any of the negitives of running a BB as a daily driver.

and right now I am the only one in my one horse town that has a mid 80s truck with a BB

i plan to add the whiplash cam thats made for the lo comp smog 440 to give it some pop in the cyls

its a bolt in with a set of BB engine mounts,rear sump oil pan.