I used to tell my students to make a good engine build list you have to first take apart the engine and measure every piece, compare to specs either stock or blueprint specs and then decide what parts are good to use as is, what parts must be reconditioned, or replaced. Then you assemble a build sheet and instructions for the machine shop. At least in my area machine shops are maxed out, and lead times are long, last thing you want is to miss parts that need machine work.

I also am a big advocate to run any combinations threw a good engine program just to see how it will work. With a special eye to what rpm range the engine will run and what fuel will be used. A good engine program calculates not only HP and torque but where in the rpm range it will be produced, cylinder pressures, idle vacuum, advance curve, fuel octane needs and fuel volume requirements.